According to most Italian media, Juventus should have been awarded a penalty kick in the first half of their match against Napoli for Dries Mertens handball.
The incident happened just a few minutes before the half-time break with Napoli 1-0 up. Juan Cuadrado’s long-range free-kick hit the Belgium international’s arm, which was not in line with the bottom of the armpit.
Referee Simone Sozza didn’t notice it and VAR Massimiliano Irrati didn’t call the match official, not considering it a clear and obvious mistake.
Juventus players didn’t protest, but according to most Italian media, Mertens’ handball was worthy of a penalty kick for the Bianconeri.
Il Corriere dello Sport, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport claim the Old Lady should have been awarded a penalty and the same goes for DAZN referee expert Luca Marelli who said it was an obvious penalty kick for the Bianconeri.
However, DAZN pundit Ciro Ferrara, a former Napoli and Juventus defender, commented the incident from a player’s perspective, saying that Mertens didn’t move his arm towards the ball.
Napoli players appealed for a penalty kick in the second half for a contact between Matthijs de Ligt and Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, it was not worth a penalty, while Il Corriere dello Sport claims the Partenopei should also have been awarded a spot kick.