Ex Serie A Referee Delivers Verdict On Game-Changing Penalty In Lazio Vs Inter Milan Serie A Showdown | OneFootball

Former Serie A referee Luca Marelli has offered his verdict on Inter Milan’s penalty in Monday’s Serie A fixture against Lazio.

Speaking to DAZN via FCInter1908, Marelli upheld Daniele Chiffi’s decision to award the penalty after consulting with the VAR booth.

Chiffi initially failed to hand Inter a game-defining spot-kick.

However, after Silvio Mazzoleni’s intervention, the 40-year-old revisited the incident in Lazio’s box on the side-pitch monitor.

Samuel Gigot’s handball warranted the ultimate punishment, sending Hakan Calhanoglu to the spot.

It was the turning point.

Four minutes after the opening goal, Inter doubled their advantage through Federico Dimarco.

Little did anyone at the Stadio Olimpico know it would be the beginning of an epic scoreline.

Indeed, Inter would net four second-half goals to condemn Lazio to one of their heaviest home defeats in recent memory.

Nicolo Barella, Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Augusto, and Marcus Thuram poured more misery on the Biancocelesti post-halftime.

Luca Marelli Delivers Verdict on Inter Milan Penalty vs Lazio

Chiffi only disallowed Lautaro Martinez’s goal for offside at first.

However, he didn’t see Gigot’s stretched arm in all the mess inside Lazio’s penalty area.

Mazzoleni had a clear view from the VAR booth, urging the first official to re-evaluate the situation.

It proved a decisive moment, setting the tone for Inter’s standout triumph.

Meanwhile, Marelli addressed Chiffi’s call in his latest interview.

“Gigot’s touch of hand had to be checked,” he stated. “The arm is above the shoulder line.

“Lautaro is offside after the touch of the arm, very high arm, above the shoulder line.

“It’s almost always a penalty kick,” Marelli concluded.

Inter capitalized on the opportunity to leave Lazio three points behind and get their Scudetto defense back on track.

Simone Inzaghi’s charges now trail pacesetters Atalanta by three points.

However, with a game in hand, they’re on course to reclaim the top spot.