Michael Fabbri and Luigi Nasca have taken the blame for the refereeing “disaster” at the end of yesterday’s Serie A match between Inter Milan and Hellas Verona.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, further note that it’s not the first high-profile blunder from Nasca this season either.
The closing stages of yesterday afternoon’s match between Inter and Verona were full of drama.
And they were also mired in controversy.
Ten-man Verona got a penalty right at the end, which striker Thomas Henry.
But this was not the decision that caused the most controversy.
There was little doubt that Inter defender Matteo Darmian had committed a foul, albeit a relatively soft one, when Fabbri awarded the spot kick following advice from the VAR.
Rather, the most contentious decision concerned Inter’s winning goal.
It was midfielder Davide Frattesi who scored Inter’s winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
The goal arrived after a Nicolo Barella was parried away by Verona keeper Lorenzo Montipo.
The Gialloblu keeper’s save fell in an inviting area in front of goal.
And it was Frattesi who reacted first to snatch the chance and score.
However, Verona players felt that the goal should have been disallowed. This was because of an apparent foul in the buildup.
Fabbri & Nasca Blamed For VAR “Disaster” In Closing Stages Of Inter – Verona Clash
The sequence that had led to Inter scoring began with a corner kick.
And after the initial corner had been cleared by Verona, Inter defender Alesssandro Bastoni seemed to give a strong shove with a raised arm to Gialloblu midfielder Ondrej Duda.
Duda remained on the ground through the rest of the sequence. But Fabbri was unmoved, feeling that the Slovakian had went down under little contact.
And the VAR agreed with Fabbri. Referee Nasca conferred with Fabbri in a VAR check that lasted a few moments – then Fabbri awarded the goal.
The Corriere have branded this moment to be nothing less than a “disaster.”
The contact was easy to spot, yet Nasca did not advise Fabbri to have another look.
The Corriere argue that whilst Fabbri deserves some blame, it’s not possible for the on-pitch official to see everything that happens. That’s theoretically what the VAR is there fore.
So Nasca is the even greater offender, the newspaper argues.
Not The First Time This Season
And this was not the first time this season, either.
During a Serie A clash between Bologna and Juventus, Nasca did not intervene to award a penalty to the Rossoblu for an extremely blatant shove by Samuel Illing Jr. on Dan Ndoye in the box.
Then, it was once again Nasca who missed another flashpoint incident involving Inter’s title rivals Juventus.
Bianconeri defender Federico Gatti looked to be guilty of a punch on Verona’s Milan Djuric. But Nasca did not intervene.
The official has certainly had an impact with both teams in the Serie A title race.
And Verona have plenty to complain about as they seek to retain their spot in the top flight.