Referee Fabio Maresca has come in for criticism for his perceived inconsistent approach during Inter’s 2-0 win over Roma in Serie A yesterday.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport, as reported via Milan based Inter Milan news-site FCInter1908.
According to the report, Maresca disappointed and was questioned for not awarding a penalty to Roma for a shirt pull on Roger Ibanez by Francesco Acerbi, with Lupi coach Jose Mourinho furious at the decision.
Similarly, Maresca was criticised for not awarding Roma a freekick after Matteo Darmian caught Andrea Belotti in the throat with an elbow as they leapt for a high ball, whilst he was accused of inconsistency in his awarding of fouls.
The 42-year-old booked Roma defender Gianluca Mancini for a challenge on Hakan Calhanoglu, having failed to show a yellow card to Inter’s Turkish midfielder for an almost identical tackle on Mady Camara, whilst Calhanoglu was judged to have escaped two other booking-worthy challenges.
However, Maresca was praised for not awarding Roma a second-half penalty when an Edoardo Bove cross touched Darmian’s arm, with the Inter defender considered to be in a natural position and the ball had rebounded off Bove before hitting Darmian.
Overall, Corriere dello Sport awarded Maresca a 4.5 in their ratings.