Napoli’s controversial successful penalty towards Genoa was ‘completely on no account a foul,’ confessed Dino Tommasi, representing the Italian Referees’ Affiliation (AIA).
The incident brought about an enormous quantity of controversy, particularly because it was so decisive, taking place deep into stoppages in what turned out to be for the Partenopei.
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, which was thought-about the traditional ‘step on foot’ that referees mechanically give a penalty for, even when contact itself is pretty minimal.
The footage was analysed on the DAZN Italia present Open VAR with consultant of the AIA, former referee Tommasi, who confessed it
Genoa denied a degree by controversial Napoli penalty
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, reacts in the course of the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Picture by Simone Arveda/Getty Pictures)
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“VAR Di Bello and AVAR Fabbri are drawn to the contact between Cornet and Vergara,”
“In reality, he’s merely taking on a place, the motion from Cornet is totally unintentional and in completely no means is it a foul.
“The problem of ‘step on foot’ was created to punish recklessness, however right here it isn’t that. He touches the highest of the foot, however the dynamics of the motion are regular inside soccer.
“There isn’t a recklessness, and no must punish it. The primary digicam angle may make it seem to be a foul, however there’s little or no in actual soccer phrases.
“It’s an unintentional ‘graze’ and fouls have to be clear, not like this.”
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli (2nd from proper) celebrates together with his team-mates after scoring his second aim in the course of the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Picture by Simone Arveda/Getty Pictures)
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So was it the right choice to get the referee to overview it himself with the On-Subject Overview?
“With hindsight, it was not the precise option to name him. The On-Subject Overview is for a transparent and apparent error, whereas this was a standard motion within the dynamics of the sport, so the decision was incorrect.”
Even when the referee had been referred to as to judge it, he nonetheless might’ve caught together with his unique choice to not award a penalty to Napoli.
“There are conditions the place the referee has accurately rejected the indications of the VAR. The referee should analyse what he sees, he’s the last word decision-maker,” confirmed Tommasi.
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VAR had already intervened within the opening minute when the referee didn’t spot a transparent Alex Meret foul on Vitinha for a Genoa penalty.
“On this scenario there are not any doubts, the Meret foul on Vitinha is evident.”
Cornet colpisce il piede di Vergara 🕵️♂️ Rigore per il Napoli! ⚠️L’episodio di #GenoaNapoli visto al microscopio 🔬 L’audio del VAR e la spiegazione dell’episodio advert #OpenVAR, ora su #DAZN 📲 pic.twitter.com/qWy1rnPpI6