Ex Serie A Referee Delivers Verdict On Penalty Controversy In Fiorentina 1-1 Inter Milan Draw: “For Me, It’s Punishable” | OneFootball

Former Serie A referee Mauro Bergonzi questioned Andrea Colombo’s decision in last night’s draw between Fiorentina and Inter Milan.

Speaking to La Nuova Ds via FCInterNews, Bergonzi stated that Inter had been denied another penalty.

It’s fair to admit that Inter’s performance at Stadio Artemio Franchi was far from impressive.

Despite taking an early lead through Francesco Pio Esposito, the Nerazzurri struggled to control the game.

Cristian Chivu’s absence from the dugout was perhaps part of the problem.

Indeed, the 45-year-old had to serve a touchline ban after his outburst in last weekend’s clash against Atalanta.

Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez was unavailable, forcing out-of-form Marcus Thuram to take the field from the start.

However, Inter could have taken all three points had Colombo pointed to the spot when Marin Pongracic handled the ball inside the box.

Still, the Italian referee refused to penalize the Fiorentina defender’s handball, while the VAR booth upheld his on-field call.

Mauro Bergonzi Believes Andrea Colombo Denied Inter Milan a Penalty in Fiorentina Draw

“There’s a cross into the box from Dumfries, the ball ends up in the central area, presumably on Pongracic’s right hand,” Bergonzi said. “I say presumably because no replays were provided. Is the handball punishable? He tends to extend it to reach the ball, and in my view, it’s punishable with a penalty kick.”

“The referee was very well positioned and didn’t whistle,” Bergonzi continued. “It’s possible he hesitated, thinking the ball might have touched the heel. The serious issue is that the VAR didn’t call him back.

“In my opinion, reviewing it, this could have been a penalty in the 7th minute of the first half. As for Esposito’s hand in the other area? His arm retracts to avoid making it punishable, so this is not a handball and is never a penalty, because it’s exactly the opposite of the other incidents we’ve seen.”

Meanwhile, Bergonzi also said that Colombo was “correct not to award the penalty” for a contact between Manuel Akanji and Moise Kean.