Torino protest after controversial Genoa draw: ‘Clear and obvious error’ | OneFootball

Torino director Davide Vagnati protested at the controversial refereeing decision during their 1-1 draw with Genoa. ‘The technology is there to overturn a clear and obvious error.’

The game was all square at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino at the 93rd minute when a cross came to the back post, but Antonio Sanabria’s jersey was pulled back by Stefano Sabelli.

Amid angry protests, the referee waved play on and then showed the red card to coach Paolo Vanoli’s assistant manager, then VAR evaluated the situation and considered it unworthy of an On-Field Review.

Vagnati took the unusual step of being first to the post-match media duties, a sign that Torino were there to make a complaint.

Torino vent fury at VAR

Antonio Sanabria Torino Genoa foul

“I think everyone can see it. We are not angry, but very let down, because the technology is there to overturn a clear and obvious error,” Vagnati told Sky Sport Italia.

“Sanabria cannot jump, he is hauled down by Sabelli. We have the technology, I don’t understand why the VAR did not call the referee.”

What infuriated the Granata most of all is that the VAR team did evaluate the footage and decided not to call the referee to the monitor.

“Mistakes can happen, they are part of the game, but this is why we have VAR to evaluate it again. They just need to recommend an On-Field Review.”

Did Torino manage to speak to the referee and ask for an explanation after the final whistle?

“He said it wasn’t enough for a penalty. As we said, the referee can make a mistake on the field, but when it is objectively obvious that the ball is going towards Sanabria, he is pulled back and cannot reach it, then it makes no sense that the referee is not recalled to the monitor,” added Vagnati.

This result means that Torino are now unbeaten in seven Serie A matches, their longest positive streak since May 2019 under coach Walter Mazzarri.

However, only one of those was a victory along with six stalemates.

“We had a decent performance, unfortunately we conceded an avoidable goal and wasted more chances to score.”

It has been a difficult day for Serie A referees, as there were several controversial situations in Empoli 0-2 Milan.