Former ref clears Dedic after Benfica-Braga flashpoint: It can't be... | OneFootball

Iturralde González analyzed the incidents that shaped the draw between Benfica and Braga (2-2) and drew some conclusions. According to the former Spanish referee’s view, the Eagles have no reason to complain about the penalty decisions, and he also cleared Amar Dedic, who had been singled out by other experts.

“It can never be a penalty, because it is a clearance that goes straight from the foot to the hand; it can never be a deliberate, punishable handball. Gabri Martínez touches the ball with his hand, but it is not a deliberate act, it is accidental. It is not handball, it is not a penalty,” he began by saying in comments to Record newspaper, analyzing the incident involving Gabri Martínez in Braga’s penalty area.

“It is true that he grabs the shirt, but the key to awarding a penalty is not grabbing, it is holding. If he grabs the shirt but lets him run, move forward, contest the ball, it is not a penalty. It would be if he held him, prevented freedom of movement and the ability to challenge for the ball. Here, no. Dedic does not stop the movement; Pau Victor, seeing that he will not reach the ball and feeling the tug, goes down. It is not enough for a penalty,” he explained, clearing Amar Dedic.

“The referee did very well. They appeal for a penalty on Pavlidis, but beforehand there is a foul that the referee, quite rightly, immediately gives. Already on the ground, sliding, Prestianni plays the ball, but lifts his right foot to prevent Lagerbielke from clearing the move and brings him down,” Iturralde González said, agreeing with João Pinheiro’s decision.

“It is a penalty and a yellow card, for a careless challenge. And that is why VAR gets involved. There are three types of fouls: reckless, no yellow; careless, with a yellow; and with excessive force, red. For reckless fouls that do not result in a yellow card, if the referee does not see the stamp, VAR does not intervene. But if the stamp is careless, and deserves a yellow card, then VAR must intervene to alert the referee. This is the case here, a studs-up challenge. Very good work by the VAR referee,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.