Former Serie A referee Graziano Cesari delivered his verdict on Daniele Doveri’s performance in last night’s clash between Inter Milan and Napoli.
During his latest interview via FCInterNews, Cesari assessed several incidents that highlighted a dramatic contest at San Siro.
Inter and Napoli shared the spoils in a nail-biting 2-2 draw, meaning that their last three meetings at Giuseppe Meazza have ended all square.
Meanwhile, Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu scored for the home side, while Scott McTominay bagged a brace for the visitors.
Like in October’s reverse fixture, Calhanoglu found the net from the spot to restore Inter’s lead midway through the second half.
Yet, Daniele Doveri initially refused to point to the spot, overlooking Amir Rrahmani’s mindless tackle on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
However, the 48-year-old changed his mind after reviewing the situation on the side-pitch monitor.
Furthermore, Doveri had his hands full yesterday evening, officiating a high-intensity match full of contentious challenges.
Graziano Cesari Assesses Daniele Doveri Performance in Inter Milan 2-2 Napoli Draw
Long before the penalty, there was another incident on the edge of Napoli’s penalty area.
Indeed, Juan Jesus recklessly kicked Marcus Thuram in the chest, yet Doveri didn’t show him a yellow card.
“After 9 minutes, Doveri avoids disciplining McTominay because the play ends with a goal, which rectifies his position,” Cesari said.
“Then there are two incidents involving Juan Jesus and Thuram. The first happens in the 13th minute when the two go for the ball and hold each other.
“Given the style of refereeing, in my opinion, he was right to let play continue. In the second situation, the chest contact was accidental, a mere coincidence.”
Then, Cesari blasted Antonio Conte, who was sent off in the second half.
“Conte’s behaviour is absolutely excessive and not appropriate for this match,” Cesari continued.
“The stepped-on foot was not noticed by the referee, it was extremely difficult to see during the game.
“After 18 seconds, the VAR reached a decision. In the derby, there was the Pavlovic-Thuram clash; the procedure is the same, it’s codified.
“This is the regulation, the guidance is valid worldwide, and Conte knows this perfectly. I didn’t like his reaction at all.
“How many match suspensions will he get? At least two.”
It might be an accident but there is a high boot rule for a reason. You can’t put your studs at chest level with others in front of you. Lots of fouls are accidents- that doesn’t make them not a foul.
If his foot was 10 inches higher and hit Thuram in the face, it would still be an accident. Would it still not be a foul?
Lets face it if a Napoli player suffered a foul that Thuram faced that Inter player would get sent off. But since it wasn’t it’s justified as “a mere coincidence” like yeah it still makes it a dangerous play… It’s not something that happens every week where a player gets a straight boot to the chest requiring a shirt change and everybody pretends like nothing happened
Absolutely on board with you. This is a red. Accident or not – boot to the chest. Melo karate kick landing on candreva shoulder if i’m not mistaking one xmas game was a straight red. And it was just because he could stretch that much.
Last night there wasnt even a yellow. Daniela