AC Milan squeaked past arch-rivals Inter Milan in Sunday’s high-stakes Serie A derby to blow the title race wide open.

During the latest episode of Open VAR, Mauro Tonolini delivered AIA’s final verdict on the penalty incident in the final moments of the game, via FCInter1908.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side reduced the gap to the table-topping Nerazzurri to seven points with a controversial win last weekend.

Indeed, Pervis Estupinan’s first-half strike separated the team at the final whistle.

However, referee Daniele Doveri made quite a mess toward the end of the game.

In addition to denying Inter a late equalizer with a needless halt, the 48-year-old refused to sanction Samuele Ricci’s handball.

Despite Inter’s relentless protests, the veteran referee never considered awarding them a penalty.

Still, Cristian Chivu remains confident of winning the Scudetto in his first season at San Siro, with Inter in firm control of the title race.

AIA Member Delivers Final Verdict on AC Milan 1-0 Inter Milan Penalty Incident

“Doveri evaluated the incident correctly and appropriately on the field,” Tonolini stated. “We were a bit surprised by what we read regarding doubts about this situation. We have no doubts.

“It’s an arm that stays in line, with a movement from Ricci to remove it. If he had moved it, the ball would have hit his chest. In slow motion, you risk noticing tiny movements that can raise doubts, which in our view should not exist in this case.

“There was no need for any On-Field Review in this situation. The decision is consistent with what happened last year in Napoli-Inter with Dumfries’ arm: there too, the hand was in line, and the arm was not penalized.

“What about the Bisseck incident in Inter-Lazio? The Dumfries example is more consistent. In Bisseck’s case, he effectively increases his body volume, the arm is out of line, and the ball would have passed it.”

Finally, Tonolini took stock of Doveri’s decision to blow the whistle when the ball was already in the air, denying Inter a last-minute equalizer.

“As in other moments of the match, Doveri blew the whistle to prevent contact in the penalty area. Even in that instance, he blew the whistle for that reason.

“Moreover, even if there hadn’t been a whistle, we would have disallowed the goal because Carlos Augusto touches the ball with his hand before it goes into the net.”