Should Sassuolo have been given their penalty and was referee Maurizio Mariani right to wave away penalty calls from Inter after Kwadwo Asamoah appeared to be fouled in the box? Gazzetta dello Sport have reviewed the performance of Mariani in Sassuolo’s 1-0 win and believe that, “the two most controversial episodes of Sassuolo-Inter remain controversial even after the 100th replay.”
“There is some doubt about the different standards chosen by Mariani in judging the two cases. In the 26th minute, the referee sanctioned Miranda’s for a foul on Di Francesco which resulted in a penalty. The Brazilian first puts his hand on the attacker’s shoulder (probably starting out of the area), then pulls his shirt: not for long, but enough to “stretch” Di Francesco (who exaggerates) and does enough to convince Mariani to assign the penalty to Sassuolo.
“On the 43rd minute, Asamoah found himself on the ground after contact from Magnanelli and Mariani whistles punishment against Asamoah, leaving the Inter fans complaining against the two weights and two measures used.”
