Ex-Serie A midfielder disagrees with referee pundit over Juventus penalty controversy
DAZN referee pundit Luca Marelli said the referee made the right decision by not giving Como a penalty against Juventus for a Federico Gatti handball, but ex-Serie A midfielder Valon Behrami disagreed: 'It had a significant impact.'
Juventus secured a 2-1 win over Como on Friday night, but the Azzurri protested over a potential penalty kick not given in the second half when the result was 1-1.
Gatti challenged Anastasios Douvikas inside the Juventus box, casually touching the ball with his hand while the Como striker was trying to control the ball.
Referee Rosario Abisso and VAR officials ruled that it was Gatti's touch was not punishable, infuriating Como coach Cesc Fabregas.
Gatti's intervention has caused debate in Italy and even DAZN pundits Marelli and Behrami had different views on the incident.
'This is an interpretation; it is legitimate to have different opinions,' Marelli, a former Serie A referee, said via AreaNapoli.
'Both players pushed each other, but Gatti's handball is incidental. The same situation occurred in Inter-Napoli with Olivera. VAR's consistency lies in applying the same refereeing standard, meaning it was not considered punishable. I believe these incidents are accidental and do not warrant a penalty.'
Behrami, a former Switzerland international and former midfielder for Napoli, Fiorentina, Udinese, Genoa, Lazio, and Verona, replied, 'I understand, but in that case, the deflection changes the trajectory and disrupts the player's coordination.
'It's a touch that has a significant impact. Just a few centimetres can make a difference for a striker. For me, it was a penalty; there were grounds to award it.'
Juventus defender Gatti said he would not punish these types of incidents with a penalty kick even in Juventus' favour.
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