Italian sports papers hit out at Milan-Atletico Madrid referee Cuneyt Cakir and Abdulkadir Bitigen who was in charge of VAR: ‘Terrible refereeing.’
The Rossoneri suffered a 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid in their second group stage game.
There were plenty of controversies as a late spot-kick converted by Luis Suarez proved to be decisive, not to mention that Milan were reduced to ten men after less than 30 minutes as Franck Kessié received two yellow cards and was therefore sent off.
Cakir was rated 4/10 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport and 4.5/10 by Il Corriere dello Sport.
All Italian sports papers highlight how Kessié’s second yellow card was too harsh, although the Ivorian star was probably too naive with his tackle in the middle of the park.
However, the incident that changed the game was the late penalty kick awarded to the La Liga giants for a Pierre Kalulu handball.
Footage shows that Thomas Lemar handled the ball before the Milan defender, so the penalty kick should have been revoked.
Why VAR should’ve revoked Atletico Madrid penalty against Milan
That’s why Italian media also blamed VAR referee Abdulkadir Bitigen.
La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote the Turkish official deserves the same rating as his compatriot Cakir and Il Corriere dello Sport sarcastically wondered if the man in charge of VAR was playing pool rather than reviewing the penalty incident properly.
I just don’t see the point of having such extensive tools available if the referee feels he is too proud and above spending 30 seconds looking at a monitor to reverse a decision that has changed the game and will probably now have doubt cast over his judgement for the forseeable future? It’s 30 seconds. The VAR review process is nowhere near as painstakingly slow as it used to be. He has no excuse.
Italia 3-0 Turkey @ EURO’20
What I don’t understand is how it took so long to make a decision. If it takes that long, then ref should view it and make decision… if it takes that long, it probably means no penalty, scusa….