Refereeing controversies are once again taking center stage in Serie A. This time, the incident under discussion occurred around the 20th minute of Lazio-Inter. Thuram shoots towards the goal after a fortuitous deflection off Lautaro‘s back, but the shot is intercepted by Gila with a touch of the arm. For referee Abisso and the VAR, there are not sufficient grounds for a penalty and play continues amid protests from the Nerazzurri. An episode that reignites the debate on the interpretation of handballs and the consistency of refereeing decisions.
Even Corriere dello Sport, while judging the touch by the Biancoceleste defender as not punishable, does not approve of Abisso‘s officiating, giving him a 5.5 rating. Here is the referee analysis:
“The idea that this could be the end of a career clearly plays tricks: the match of Palermo-born Abisso was marred by an incident, even though he hadn’t started badly. It was indeed correct to judge Gila’s arm as not punishable.
Perhaps something to review from a technical point of view (are we sure it was a foul by Cancellieri for the free kick at the edge later taken by Barella?) and disciplinary (the yellow card to Noslin is his fault, it was a clear corner, the ball was touched by Martinez). Then that studs-up challenge by Romagnoli, right in front of the fourth official, Sacchi (what is he there for? He could have suggested correctly, not the yellow). In a match with a minimal degree of difficulty, not good.
Let’s start here: Romagnoli challenges Bonny with his left foot studs up, studs exposed, on the opponent’s calf. The point of impact is high, even if he doesn’t go in too hard—for Bonny’s sake. However, the Nerazzurro’s ankle bends, ugly to see. Abisso opts for a yellow, Meraviglia calls him to the OFR: correct call to the monitor, correct red card. Inter protests and asks for a penalty for an alleged handball by Gila on Thuram’s shot, Abisso signals to play on, and rightly so: the Biancoceleste defender’s left arm is along his body, absolutely not a punishable position.”
