Former Arsenal & Serie A Goalkeeper Slams Liverpool Penalty At Inter Milan As ‘The Death Of Football’ | OneFootball

The penalty awarded to Liverpool in their Champions League victory over Inter Milan continues to spark fierce debate in Italy with Emiliano Viviano saying ‘stuff like this is the death of football.’

Among the most outspoken critics is former Serie A and Arsenal goalkeeper Viviano, who did not hold back while discussing the incident on TVPlay.

Viviano described the decision as emblematic of everything wrong with modern refereeing, insisting that “for me that stuff is the death of football.”

He revealed that even referees share his disbelief, explaining that “I asked an important referee and he told me this is madness, anything but a penalty.”

Viviano Slams Liverpool Penalty Call Against Inter Milan

PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 26: Referee, Felix Zwayer during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Parc des Princes on November 26, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The former Italy international dismissed the idea that criticism should be softened by the reaction it provokes.

Indeed, stressing that he has no concern for potential backlash.

According to Viviano, the discomfort surrounding the call was evident even among Liverpool’s own representatives.

He noted that “the Liverpool players and coach were struggling to answer questions about that penalty.”

From a technical standpoint, Viviano focused on what he sees as a complete lack of logic in the decision-making.

He underlined how both players were essentially static in their positions, with one facing away from the play.

He added that “even if there’s a slight tug on the shirt, for me it’s not a penalty.”

Viviano also rejected accusations of bias, making clear that his stance would not change based on the team involved.

He insisted he would say the same “even if it had been given against an Italian side, even Fiorentina.”

While acknowledging that Alessandro Bastoni may have been naïve in the situation.

Viviano concluded unequivocally that “that is never a penalty.”

Indeed, reinforcing his belief that the decision unfairly decided a high-level European contest.