Former Italian football referee Graziano Cesari has questioned why VAR never intervened at Real Madrid’s first goal in last night’s Champions League group stage match between them and Inter at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.
The reigning Spanish champions first goal came with thanks to an error from Inter wing-back Achraf Hakimi, who never got enough on a back pass to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, which was capitalised upon by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Just as Hakimi hit the ball though, he fell to ground with Real Madrid full back Ferland Mendy appearing to foul him but referee Clement Turpin nor any of his assistants took any action nor did those in charge of VAR.
“Mendy can be seen resting his arms on Hakimi. The Nerazzurri player is balanced on his right leg but the pressure of the player is there and I ask myself, is it correct?” Cesari explained whilst in the studios of Italian broadcaster Canale 5, earlier on today.
“Beyond Hakimi’s mistake with the back pass, why didn’t VAR intervene? The referee had absolutely no way of seeing what happened from his position on the pitch.”
Cesari also shared his view that the match officials were right to not award Inter a penalty during the first half when Hakimi went to ground: “In the 22nd minute, Hakimi fell in the Real box but there is absolutely nothing in it, the contact was regular.”
