Italian Refereeing Association Deliver Verdict On Two Key Penalty Incidents In Napoli 1-1 Inter Milan Serie A Clash | OneFootball

The Italian refereeing association have clarified two key penalty decisions in this weekend’s match between Napoli and Inter Milan.

Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that referee designator Gianluca Rocchi evaluated that Inter should have had a penalty, but Napoli should not have.

Referee Daniele Doveri did not earn terribly positive reviews for his performance in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan.

At the centre of criticism was the referee’s handling of the penalty decisions.

Inter and Napoli each had a notable penalty appeal.

The Nerazzurri wanted a spot kick for a shove by Scott McTominay on Denzel Dumfries in the area.

The incident somewhat came to nothing, as Inter scored almost immediately after. Federico Dimarco found the back of the net from a direct free kick given in the same sequence.

Then, Napoli wanted a penalty for a potential Denzel Dumfries handball in the penalty area.

Rocchi’s Verdict: Napoli No Penalty, Inter Should’ve Had A Spot Kick

Italian referee designator Gianluca Rocchi has evaluated the performance by Doveri in the big match.

And according to the Gazzetta, the experienced referee chief has given contrasting verdicts.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Scott McTominay of Napoli during the Serie A match between Napoli and Udinese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

On Inter’s penalty appeal, the newspaper report, Rocchi believes that Doveri got it wrong.

The contact by former Manchester United midfielder McTominay was a blatant shove. Therefore, there was little case for not pointing to the spot.

On the other hand, the Gazzetta report, Rocchi did not see the handball by Dumfries as a foul and a penalty.

The Dutchman was not extending his arm from his body when Leonardo Spinazzola’s shot hit it. Therefore, there was little he could do to avoid the contact.