Serie A Designator Delivers Verdict On Inter Milan 3-0 Fiorentina Penalty Controversy: “Penalty Should’ve Been Awarded On The Pitch” | OneFootball

Gianluca Rocchi blasted referee Simone Sozza for failing to award Inter Milan a textbook penalty against Fiorentina.

Speaking during DAZN’s latest ‘Open Var’ episode via FCInterNews, Rocchi commented on the incident in last week’s clash at San Siro.

Despite Inter’s commanding 3-0 triumph, Simone Sozza came under fire for his poor officiating.

Indeed, several of his calls have added fuel to an already heated debate over the consistency and quality of refereeing in Serie A.

Furthermore, Sozza missed two chances to give the Nerazzurri a penalty.

Interestingly, both incidents involved the same players.

Fiorentina center-back Pietro Comuzzo used excessive force to stop Francesco Pio Esposito on two occasions.

While Sozza could be forgiven for pardoning Comuzzo in the first half, there’s no excuse for failing to sanction the youngster after the break.

Comuzzo wrapped his hand around Pio Esposito’s neck, bringing the Inter striker down to the ground without even watching the ball.

However, despite a lengthy VAR review, Sozza refused to point to the spot.

Gianluca Rocchi Delivers Verdict on Inter Milan 3-0 Fiorentina Penalty Controversy

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“This was a penalty to be awarded on the field,” Rocchi said. “There were all the possibilities to do it.

“The first thing to check in a hold is the defender’s behaviour.

“In this case, the behavior is holding the opponent.

“The ball is going there, it doesn’t go somewhere else.

“So this is a penalty to give on the field; if the referee can’t do it, we must go to the on-field review.

“Their hesitation was linked to the transformation into OFR.

“However, I’ve always said that in case of doubt, the final decision always rests with the referee and not with the VAR.

“Otherwise, we replace the referee with the VAR. This decision, if taken on the field, also helps those at the monitor.”

Gianluca Rocchi Comments on Daniele Doveri Decision to Give Yann Bisseck Yellow Card

MONZA, ITALY – APRIL 07: Match Referee, Daniele Doveri gestures during the Serie A TIM match between AC Monza and SSC Napoli at U-Power Stadium on April 07, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Yann Bisseck narrowly avoided a red card in Inter’s 2-1 win over Hellas Verona last weekend.

Indeed, he tackled Giovane to the ground.

However, despite being the last man, referee Daniele Doveri refused to send him off for a reason.

“Doveri made a very important and very good decision,” Rocchi claimed. “The hesitation is linked to the message they received from the assistant.

“Some referees ask the assistant to help understand geographically if the foul is last man.

“However, the last man is not the right term and it’s not certain that last means last man.

“I fully agree with what was said in the VAR room: two parameters for DOGSO (denial of obvious goal-scoring opportunity) were missing.

“The decision of Doveri is important,” he continued. “Actually, for us, if for this foul a red card had been given, it would have to be revoked.

“The foul is strong, but the parameters for serious foul play are not there.

“I’m glad the decision was made on the field; if it had been red, we would have expected an on-field review.

“Then, if Giovane had driven the ball towards the goal, it would have been red.”