Former Serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese delivered his verdict on scandalous VAR calls during Inter Milan’s controversial draw against Lazio.
Calvarese took to social media to offer his view on the incidents that led to a fatal 2-2 draw last Sunday, via FCInterNews.
Referee Daniele Chiffi probably deprived the Nerazzurri of their final chance to close a one-point gap to leaders Napoli.
Indeed, his decision helped Lazio get both goals at San Siro, handing Antonio Conte’s team a crucial title boost.
Chiffi decided Pedro’s 72nd-minute equalizer was legit, even though Boulaye Dia was miles offside in the build-up.
However, the hammer blow was yet to come.
Denzel Dumfries restored Inter’s lead, only to see his effort go in vain thanks to another dubious VAR call.
Though Chiffi waved play on despite Lazio’s penalty appeals, he eventually penalized Yann Bisseck’s handball.
After reviewing the incident with VAR, he changed his decision, giving Lazio a pivotal 90th-minute penalty.
Unfortunately, there was no way back for Inter this time.
Gianpaolo Calvarese Delivers Verdict on VAR Controversy in Inter Milan vs Lazio Draw
“A difficult, borderline incident,” Calvarese said. “There are elements suggesting it is punishable and others suggesting it isn’t.
“For that reason alone, in my view, it’s not a VAR case.
“If we look at the still image, Bisseck’s arm is close to his body, which would lean toward non-punishability,” Calvarese continued.
“However, the arm does make an extra movement toward the ball.
“It’s that dynamic that led VAR official Di Paolo to call Chiffi to the monitor.
“That said, in this season, similar incidents haven’t triggered a VAR review – like Baschirotto’s in Lecce-Inter.”
Finally, Calverese shared his thoughts about appointing Marco Guida as an assistant referee in the VAR booth.
“Another reason behind Inter’s media silence is the appointment of Guida,” he added.
“In my view, it was a somewhat risky choice. For the sake of balance, other referees could have been selected.
“I was convinced that any debatable episode would be used for political point-scoring by both sides.”
meh, it is always like that. protests here and there but they will repeat the cycle. while we are defending ourselves when controversies hit us. will they punish hard the ones who responsible? i bet no until maybe there will be calciopoli in many parts.
Mr marota your quietness to challenge lega serie a is becoming detrimental to the club ambimbtions – maybe your recent awards by politians in the industry is making you to compromise. why allowing lega casio to appoint guida in the first place. maybe another mafiarism – this should investigated.
I say its bad officiating first follow by mildly bad performance on our behalf but I could also justify ref decisions can also impact the players morale.
yes. they play on the morale. who wont be down when decisions keep cornering the players? and this cycle, who wont forget? man we are always in this pattern.
i still remember how they rigged us the champion when we were one on one race against milan couple seasons’ back.
ricci(ref designator)has been a suspect ever since inter had 5 to 6 rounds in serie a matches, from the scheeules of copper italia; the pope’s funeral, down to the inauguration of the new pope. the bologna discus throwing; roma robbery and lazio lazers of horror officiating, all sandwitched with guelling quarter and semi finals champ league matches against europe’s best, done to frustrate inter(the only shinning light of italian football). recently, they fixed the last match of the season on friday, in order to favour napoli – the handwritting is already written on the wall! marota and co are too gentlemanlike.
I know some fans said we should not blame refs this season, but there is the ref report for every game, Inter now is suffered 10 points which is the most among serie A teams due to ref’s mistakes, and Napoli only suffered 1 point. Roma also suffered 4 points. So basically Italian refs say I am sorry inter for those mistakes, but we are doing a good job in general. And our fans are still more like we lose because we didnt perform well. All I want to say is ref did a horrible job on Inter this season in Serie A, so maybe it is not that harsh to blame them a little.
it is not harsh. it is a must. if the controversies happen in 1-2 matches, probably we can understand because human errors always happen, but more than 2 matches? and not only in this season?? come on..there is something wrong with how they train the refs (or choose the refs), or they really hate inter to be in pole position every season.