Referee designator Gianluca Rocchi admits the Milan throw-in that led to Ante Rebic’s opener against Empoli ‘should have been handled differently.’
The Rossoneri secured a 3-1 win on Tuscan soil on Saturday night, but their first goal of the night caused controversy as Sandro Tonali took a throw-in 10.64 metres from where the ball had gone out of play.
Empoli boss Paolo Zanetti complained in his post-match interview with DAZN and Rocchi, a former international referee, now head designator of Serie A and Serie B admits officials should have handled the incident differently.
“I have to say that we should have paid more attention, that throw-in is the only slight error in an excellent weekend which makes me proud,” Rocchi told Radio Anch’io lo Sport as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“There were fantastic performances from referees, including Aureliano at Empoli. Aside from that incident which should have been handled differently, the rest of the game was great. I am convinced that we are all going in the right direction.”
Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi became the first woman to ever officiate a Serie A game in Sassuolo–Salernitana yesterday.
“There aren’t other women in the group, but there are two other assistants who are doing well and one has already made her debut in Serie A. Perhaps, they are working on it in Serie C, but I’ll be happy if there will be more chances in the future,” said Rocchi who also provided an update on the semi-automated off-side which will be launched in Serie A this season.
“We are open to technological changes, we are waiting for the green light from the FIGC for the semi-automated offside. Any change that helps referee is welcome.”
Three Italian referees will be involved in the upcoming Champions League fixtures this week.
Davide Massa for Marseille-Sporting CP, Daniele Orsato for Eintracht Frankfurt-Tottenham and Maurizio Mariani for Sevilla-Borussia Dortmund.