Controversy, chaos and VAR protocol: What happened in Empoli vs. Milan | OneFootball

There were several very controversial situations during Milan’s Serie A trip to Empoli, as while Liberato Cacace risked a straight red for the foul on Kyle Walker, VAR was not allowed to rescue Fikayo Tomori from dismissal.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

The first incident occurred just a few minutes into the match at the Stadio Castellani, when Cacace and Walker were both at full stretch to reach the loose ball when they connected heavily.

While the still image does make it look horrific from Cacace, catching Walker studs-up on the side of the shin, VAR decided not to intervene following a long evaluation.

DAZN refereeing expert Luca Marelli gave his verdict on the situation and agreed that while Cacace should’ve received a yellow card and it was “at the limit,” this did not warrant a red card.

This is because there was no real ‘run-up’ to the tackle, making it less dangerous, and Walker’s leg was also low down on the ground to make the challenge less ‘high’ up the leg.

Liberato Cacace Kyle Walker Empoli Milan controversy

Plenty for refereeing pundits to parse in Empoli vs. Milan

EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 8: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between Empoli and AC Milan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 8, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, there was an even more controversial situation on 55 minutes when Tomori received a second yellow card for bringing down Lorenzo Colombo.

The Milan defender would’ve been rescued by the offside flag, but the linesman did not raise it and VAR was not allowed to intervene because the protocol forbids them from getting involved with yellow card offences.

If a penalty had been awarded and there was an offside in the build-up, then VAR could’ve stepped in, but not for a booking.

VAR did intervene 10 minutes later to show that Luca Marianucci reacted to a Santiago Gimenez push by looking over his shoulder, flicking up a boot and intentionally catching the striker in the crotch.

Gimenez was booked for the provocation and Marianucci shown a straight red card for the reaction foul.