VAR Bails Out Referee After Bizarre Penalty Decision In Inter Milan Vs AC Milan Serie A Derby | OneFootball

The VAR bailed out referee Maurizio Mariani following a rather bizarre penalty decisions in yesterday’s derby between Inter Milan and AC Milan.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They also argued that the referee missed a couple of yellow cards.

Refereeing the derby between Inter and Milan is never an easy task.

The derby is certainly a fixture where the tempers tend to flare.

That was evident early on in yesterday’s match. Nerazzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni clashes with Rossoneri striker Alvaro Morata and winger Christian Pulisic.

And in fairness to referee Mariani, the official did basically keep a lid on proceedings after that.

There were no red cards. This in a fixture that the last time it was played, saw three players sent off in the closing stages.

Mariani mostly managed to keep play moving.

But there was one incident that certainly raised eyebrows.

VAR Bails Mariani Out After Bizarre Penalty Decision In Inter Vs AC Milan Clash

During the second half, Milan had a set piece which they delivered into Inter’s penalty area.

Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez was in a position to clear the ball.

Martinez was able to get the ball clear, using the upper part of his shoulder.

Referee Mariani seemed to have a fairly clear view of the incident.

And the official decided to point to the spot, believing that the Inter captain had used his upper arm to control the ball.

VAR quickly told Mariani to go and have a second look at the sequence on the monitor.

And the referee needed just a quick look to reverse his decision.

In the view of the Gazzetta, it was not a particularly flattering moment for a referee of Mariani’s experience to get the decision wrong. Even if VAR ensured that the penalty did not stand.

Meanwhile, the newspaper argue that Mariani could actually have gone to his pocket more than he did.

The Gazzetta particularly single out a challenge by Rossoneri midfielder Youssouf Fofana on Inter captain Martinez as worthy of a yellow card.