VAR chief Nicola Rizzoli explains the decision not to send off Juventus’ Medhi Benatia against Milan is “explicitly subjective”.
The defender was on a booking when Gonzalo Higuain’s touch struck his hand in the penalty box.
After a VAR review, referee Paolo Mazzoleni awarded a penalty.
It was argued that if the official had deemed the handball to be deliberate, as he must have to give a penalty, then it should have resulted in a second yellow card.
VAR chief Nicola Rizzoli explains the decision not to send off Juventus’ Medhi Benatia against Milan is “explicitly subjective”.
The defender was on a booking when Gonzalo Higuain’s touch struck his hand in the penalty box.
After a VAR review, referee Paolo Mazzoleni awarded a penalty.
It was argued that if the official had deemed the handball to be deliberate, as he must have to give a penalty, then it should have resulted in a second yellow card.
“The disciplinary situation must be evaluated and weighed-up by the referee on the pitch,” Rizzoli explained to reporters after today’s meeting to discuss VAR.
“If the referee is certain about when the attacker has controlled the ball, and that he has the ability to keep it, then it can be a red.
“If, instead, the control is believed to be getting there before the opponent then it can simply lead to a penalty, which is what happened.
“The situation is explicitly subjective.”
Inter Coach Luciano Spalletti predicted that the meeting would result in more cautions for players haranguing officials while checks were going on, and Rizzoli confirmed as much.
“It was a positive meeting. We asked the Coaches to be spokesmen for their respective teams. The captain must be the representative of the team on the pitch in dealing with the referee.
“The referee has the obligation to send players away and speak only with the captain, if that doesn’t happen those who surround the referee will be booked.
“Bookings for unsportsmanlike conduct are increasing, while bookings for simulation have decreased 40 per cent.
“However, the number of red cards has been drastically reduced. The game is cleaner and there are fewer situations that create risks for the players.”