AIA backs no-penalty call in Fiorentina 1-1 Inter handball row | OneFootball

The Italian Referees’ Association confirmed it was correct not to award a handball penalty in Fiorentina 1-1 Inter, despite Beppe Marotta suggesting many pundits viewed it otherwise.

The flashpoint came nine minutes in at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Inter already 1-0 up. The ball struck Fiorentina defender Marin Pongracic’s arm, yet the referee and VAR dismissed muted appeals.

Mauro Tonolini, speaking for the AIA, said the referee had an excellent view and judged it properly. He explained the ball bounced in front of Pongracic as he tried a heel touch, with the arm in a natural position, so no handball.

Audio from the VAR booth featured Fabio Maresca and Davide Massa agreeing there was no penalty, noting Pongracic tried to pull his arm away. They added the bounce changed the ball’s direction and the dynamics did not justify a spot-kick.

After the 1-1 draw, which opened up the Scudetto race, Marotta said he had read several experts who considered it a penalty. He called for uniformity in refereeing and insisted errors should not become an alibi.

DAZN pundit Luca Marelli immediately maintained it was not a penalty, while others observed similar handballs have been given this season and urged greater clarity in the laws.

The AIA also deemed two other weekend calls correct, awarding Juventus a penalty for the Jay Idzes handling offence, and Torino for Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic grabbing Giovanni Simeone across the face.

Source: Football Italia