Italian journalist Stefano De Grandis feels that given that the on-pitch referee Daniele Chiffi did not rule out Juventus’s goal against Inter yesterday, it would’ve been tough for the VAR to overturn his decision.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via Inter-news.it, De Grandis gave his reaction to the moment that has proved to be the lingering controversy from the Derby d’Italia yesterday.
Inter’s players were not necessarily immediately appealing for Filip Kostic’s goal which opened the scoring for Juventus to be ruled off, although there had been a couple raised hands to try and flag what they felt was a possible handball in the buildup.
However, it was the lengthy VAR check which ultimately resulted in the decision to allow the goal to stand which was the subject of the Nerazzurri’s real frustration.
The sense was that there was no clarity to the rationale for the video assistant’s decision despite having plenty of time and numerous camera angles to look at.
“If the referee Chiffi doesn’t see it and doesn’t give it, then it’s tough for the VAR to intervene,” De Grandis suggested.
“That arm does seem to make a movement towards the ball, it’s not involuntary but only Nicolo Barella initially notices it,” he continued.
“In addition, it wasn’t immediately before the goal, which makes things even more complicated.”
“In my opinion it was a handball, but I understand the perspective of the VAR, who apparently didn’t find the images to be 100% conclusive either way,” De Grandis said.
