Was VAR Correct To Rule Out Inter Milan Penalty In Coppa Italia Clash Vs Udinese? | OneFootball

VAR was correct to overturn the decision to award Inter Milan a handball penalty against Udinese.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They appraise referee Luca Massimi’s handling of the Coppa Italia clash.

Yesterday’s Coppa Italia round of sixteen match between Inter and Udinese was not really a match with much refereeing incident.

Referee Luca Massimi handed out a couple yellow cards for late challenges. Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani was the first to receive a booking.

And Massimi whistled for a foul a couple of times in 50/50 challenges that he deemed to be too reckless.

VAR Correct To Overturn Inter Handball Penalty Vs Udinese?

The most notable refereeing decision yesterday cam very early on in the match.

In the sixth minute of play, Inter striker Marko Arnautovic latched onto a through-ball from Kristjan Asllani.

Arnautovic carried the ball into the Udinese penalty area.

The Austrian got his shot away but it looked to be well wide of the target.

However, as defender Christian Kabasele got down to block Arnautovic’s effort, the Belgian’s outstretched arm got in the way of the ball.

Initially, referee Massimi pointed to the penalty spot.

In the view of the referee, the fact that Kabasele’s arm was so far outside his body made it a handball offense.

However, the VAR advised the referee to have a second look at the incident on the monitor.

And, upon seeing just how close Kabasele had been to Arnautovic’s shot, with little time to react as he balanced himself with his arms, Massimi decided it was not a spot kick after all.

And in the view of the Gazzetta, this was the correct decision.