Former referee Luca Marelli has explained why Inter wing-back Ivan Perisic was not sent off during the goalless draw against Genoa in Serie A on Friday.
The Croatia international was booked early in the second half after catching defender Silvan Hefti above the knee after seeming to lose control of the ball, and VAR did not intervene.
Observing the match from the studios of Italian television broadcaster DAZN, and as reported by FCInter1908.it, Marelli offered his thoughts on why VAR was not called upon to overturn the decision and send Perisic off, despite strong appeals from Genoa’s players.
“It is a very extreme episode, on which the VAR never intervenes because there are elements in support of both yellow and red card,” the 50-year-old argued.
“Red is missing because of the speed of impact and then Perisic’s attempt to retract his leg without hitting Hefti fully. That said, I would have preferred it if he had pulled it out.”
Perisic remained on the field and played the full 90 minutes as Inter struggled to break through a spirited Grifone defence, labouring to a goalless draw and missing the chance to go level at the top of the table.
