Abraham stamp and Jimenez shove: Four penalty appeals rejected in Milan-Cagliari | OneFootball

There were a number of controversial refereeing episodes during AC Milan’s draw against Cagliari last night, in particular related to penalty appeals.

On the day of the game, the AIA – Italian Referees Association – announced a late change to the designation for Milan’s game against Cagliari tonight. Matteo Marchetti, who was supposed to officiate the game, was replaced by Francesco Fourneau.

Calciomercato.com recall the four shouts for a penalty during the game, starting with the one just a couple of minutes in when Alvaro Morata and Gabriele Zappa contested a loose ball. The Spaniard claimed he had been kicked, yet the referee awarded a free-kick to the away side.

In minute 35 a dangerous Cagliari counter-attack concluded with a cross from the right towards the centre which just needed firing in. However, Davide Calabria saved his side with a perfectly-timed sliding challenge, and the protests from the Sardinians had no merit.

Just after the hour mark came perhaps the best shout. Tammy Abraham went down inside the area claiming to have been stamped on by Makoumbou, and the replays showed that he was. Fourneau didn’t give a penalty on the field and the VAR room chose not to make him take a look at it.

Finally, not long after the Felici shoved Alex Jimenez to the ground right on the edge of the area, but again the official deemed it to be regular contact – despite the fact he clearly leaned into it – and gave nothing.