Torino director Davide Vagnati raged against the ‘unacceptable’ failure to even review the penalty incident in their 1-1 draw with Inter. ‘It’s impossible that he didn’t see that foul.’
The Granata have made an unfortunate habit of dropping points by conceding late goals this season and they did it again this evening, as Alexis Sanchez struck deep into stoppages.
Gleison Bremer had given Toro the lead by tapping in from a corner, but there was controversy in the first half when Andrea Ranocchia appeared to clearly foul Andrea Belotti, yet VAR did not even suggest an on-field review.
Serie A | Torino 1-1 Inter: Sanchez snatches point amid controversy
“I would like to underline we have always had great respect for the referees and those who have to make these decisions,” Vagnati told DAZN.
“Having said that, there was an objective mistake tonight. It was not subjective. In fact, there are two clear errors, because the referee did not give the penalty in real time, but then the VAR also did not suggest an on-field review.
“I honestly cannot understand it. I went to the referee at half-time and said that was a penalty, but he replied if the VAR did not call him over, then evidently I made the right call.
“Davide Massa is an international referee, it’s just impossible that he didn’t see that foul. You can then talk about Torino’s exceptional performance and Inter’s determination, but if there is a penalty, it has to be given.
“It’s honestly unacceptable, especially as we had practically won the game and ended it with this regret.”
DAZN’s refereeing pundit and former official Luca Marelli acknowledged it was a definite mistake and he had “no justification or explanation” for why the VAR did not suggest an on-field review.
Marelli also zoomed in on the suggestions Belotti had handled in the build-up, but ruled that was not true either, as it hit his shin.