Referee Rosario Abisso has received scathing reviews for a number of questionable decisions in Inter Milan’s Serie A win over Parma.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight two odd penalty decisions that were reversed as well as an apparent missed handball.
Refereeing controversy was not really at the centre of Inter’s 3-1 win over Parma.
However, part of the reason for that was that VAR bailed out the head match official Abisso.
There were two occasions in which the referee awarded Inter a penalty. Both involved captain Lautaro Martinez.
In the first half, Parma midfielder Mandela Keita hauled down the Inter captain.
There was certainly no question that it was a foul by the Belgian. However, it was also blatant that the contact occurred outside the area.
Therefore, it was little surprise when VAR intervened. Instead of a penalty, Inter had a free kick on the edge of the area.
Abisso Under Fire For Dodgy Decisions In Inter Vs Parma Serie A Clash
In the second half, there was another questionable decision in the Parma penalty area.
This time, Abisso did not award Inter a penalty. But perhaps the referee should have.
A Marcus Thuram shot deflected off of the arm of Parma captain Enrico Del Prato.
Abisso decided that the contact was not enough for a penalty, as it seemed unintentional and Del Prato had little time to react. VAR did not see it as a clear and obvious error.
However, the Gazzetta argue, Del Prato’s arm was well out from his body, and there was a strong case that it should have been a penalty.
Then, late in the match, Abisso pointed to the spot a second time.
This was for what he saw as a foul be Parma defender Antoine Hainaut on Inter captain Martinez.
However, replays showed that there was little if any contact on the Argentine.
Therefore, VAR advised Abisso to go to the monitor and have a second look at the incident.
After seeing that there was hardly a foul on Martinez, Abisso reversed his initial decision.
