The Italian Referees Affiliation has confirmed it was the proper resolution to not award a penalty for handball , regardless of President Beppe Marotta’s assertion.
The incident occurred simply 9 minutes into the Serie A match on the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday, with Inter already 1-0 up.
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The ball struck Fiorentina defender Marin Pongracic on the arm, however the referee and VAR waved away what had been even on the time fairly timid appeals.
Referees consider Fiorentina-Inter name
PISA, ITALY – MARCH 2: Common view of the VAR monitor contained in the Enviornment Garibaldi stadium in Pisa through the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Enviornment Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photos)
When he was referred to as to symbolize the AIA (Italian Referees’ Affiliation), Mauro Tonolini was clear on the choice.
“The referee learn it appropriately on the sector, as from a wonderful viewing place, he appropriately evaluates the incident,” stated Tonolini.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Aleksandar Kolarov vice-manager of FC Internazionale reacts through the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photos)
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“The ball bounces in entrance of Pongracic, who tries to play it along with his heel, then the contact occurs with the arm, which is in a pure place for the motion he’s making.
“It’s completely not a scenario that may be punished with handball and a penalty.”
The present additionally performed audio of the dialogue throughout the VAR sales space between Fabio Maresca and Davide Massa.
“I agree, he tries to drag the arm away. The ball bounces, the dynamics say this isn’t a penalty. The ball modifications route when it bounces off the bottom.”
Chatting with the media after the 1-1 draw that opened up the Scudetto race, a majority of tv pundits thought this was a penalty.
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“I learn numerous pundits and consultants who stated the Marin Pongracic dealing with offence was a penalty,” insisted Marotta.
“We don’t need to act like victims right here, we simply need there to be uniformity in refereeing and analysis, for the great of soccer as a complete.
“I usually consider that each one golf equipment complain through the season, and total errors steadiness one another out. I don’t need this to grow to be an alibi, as a result of that is sport and errors are at all times across the nook. We have to be stronger than the refereeing errors.”
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus has a penalty saved through the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
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DAZN pundit Luca Marelli had made clear instantly he didn’t really feel this was a spot-kick, whereas numerous others at greatest famous that this sort of handball had been given this season, so there wanted to be extra readability within the guidelines.
The AIA additionally confirmed right selections had been taken in Serie A final weekend to award a Juventus penalty for the Jay Idzes dealing with offence, and to Torino for Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic grabbing Giovanni Simeone throughout the face.