Milan-Bologna controversy, referees Fabbri and Marcenaro face suspension | OneFootball

The episode of the penalty initially awarded and then revoked for Milan at the end of the match against Bologna has sparked considerable debate. The contact between Nkunku and Freuler, reviewed on the monitor by referee Matteo Marcenaro following a VAR call, generated heated controversy and protests, culminating in Massimiliano Allegri's outburst, furious on the sidelines and involved in a tense face-to-face with the fourth official.

The AIA considers sanctions after the penalty was revoked: VAR particularly under scrutiny

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the AIA has negatively assessed the handling of the incident. Michael Fabbri, responsible for the VAR, is particularly under scrutiny, accused of not showing Marcenaro the initial contact – the one between Lucumí and Nkunku – considered much more evident than the second. A procedural error that led to a controversial outcome and risks costing the referee duo dearly.

Initial reports suggest imminent measures: Fabbri could be suspended for at least two matches, although it is not ruled out that he might return to officiate on the field. For Marcenaro, a shorter suspension is expected, likely limited to one match. This rejection demonstrates the strictness with which the Italian Referees Association intends to act following yet another seasonal controversy. Former referee and current DAZN analyst Luca Marelli also commented on the case, emphasizing: “In my opinion, the VAR procedure is wrong: if you only look at the second episode, it makes sense not to give a penalty, but the first contact was evident, a push with no possibility of playing the ball.”

Andrea Alati

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