Fiorentina’s sporting director Daniele Prade believes that the awarding of the late penalty in AC Milan’s win was ‘scandalous’.
After Robin Gosens had opened the scoring with a close-range finish and Rafael Leao levelled things with a shot from range, there was a controversial incident in the game with eight minutes left on the clock.
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Santiago Gimenez went down inside the box holding his face having been pulled back by Fabiano Parisi while trying to get to a loose ball. The referee took a look at it on the monitor, and pointed to the spot, with Leao converting the penalty to seal a 2-1 win.
‘It’s scandalous’
Stefano Pioli and the Fiorentina team’s reaction at full-time showed their thoughts on the call. Prade spoke to DAZN and in a press conference after the final whistle at San Siro and he made his anger at the decision very clear, using some strong words. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
What feelings do you have?
“I think if VAR has to call out the referee for a serious error, this is a huge mistake by VAR: Marinelli didn’t have the courage to stand by his decision. I can’t describe how we feel; we’re playing for our lives, and we also have to understand that something like this can’t be done. It’s scandalous.
“He stayed down for 20 minutes and didn’t even touch him: almost grotesque, it’s not a good image. Fiorentina played a great game, with heart, and absolutely didn’t deserve to lose in this manner. He fell to the ground in an incredible way.
“Shortly before, there had been a foul on Ranieri, which could have been a red card at that point, but instead he was only given a yellow: the player was left out, and we conceded the goal with ten men. We’re disappointed because our league position is poor, and we didn’t expect it; this isn’t who we are as a team.”
What do you regret not seeing on the pitch?
“If anyone can get us out of this situation, it’s only Pioli. Everything else is my fault. The only criticism can be directed at me: the owners have given me over €90m. What happens on the pitch is a product of the moment: we have a stadium in terrible condition, three away games.
“It’s a strange season, but it’s just beginning; we can do a lot, and we have two competitions to honour. I feel sorry for the president and the fans. If anyone has faith in us, it’s Stefano Pioli; if anyone needs to be sacked today, it’s me.”
What is your position on refereeing?
“A terrible scene, a scandalous penalty. What kind of scene did Ranieri have to make about the foul he suffered from Fofana? A truly scandalous penalty.
“It’s also scandalous that VAR called the referee out, when he should only be called out in the event of a serious error in the penalty area. The team gave it their all. We’re bitter, disappointed, and pissed off.”
Could there be a resignation?
“I’d only say stupid things in the heat of the moment. I’ve already said that if anyone needs to be fired, it should be me. The criticism is fair, because with what I’ve spent, the team can’t stay in that position, and it’s the sporting director’s fault.”
Have you already spoken to the referees?
“What should I say now? Would I be polite now? Better not to go.”
What is the talking about? He pulled him with his hand, obviously. The penalty was as clear as it gets. Of course Gimenez did fake like he was shot with a shotgun, this part I don’t appreciate, you can’t be such a wimp and fake it like that. He was holding his face and rolling around for 10 minutes for a pull on the shoulder? LOL
He held his face because parisi rubned the face down to the shoulder. This picture shows the shoulder. put the VAR video showed parisi had on Gimenez face
What? He caught his neck a bit. Which picture? I’ve seen the replay 200 times last night. Obviously, didn’t hit his face.
” I’ve seen the replay 200 times last night. Obviously, didn’t hit his face.”
LOL. Then you must be blind. Watched the replay 200 times? Wow. I saw the hand hitting his face already in the 1st or 2nd replay. Try watching another 200 times and if you still can’t see it, try getting a guide dog. 😀 😀 😀
Agreed. Parisi clearly smashes his face when he throws his arm out to slow Gimenez down as he’d lost his marker. It’s clear as day. If this happens in some other area of the pitch it’s an easy foul. Seen it hundreds of times. If Parisi’s arm had been lower, like around the chest area, he would have been completely fine.
What always amazing me about certain penalties/non-penalties is the difference how the fouls are called when they happen in the box vs. outside of the box. I’ve seen so many fouls given (and consistently) for certain things (like hands to the face) outside the box and then when they happen inside the box they’re suddenly not considered a foul. If it’s a foul outside the box it’s a foul inside the box which then mean it’s a penalty.
” If it’s a foul outside the box it’s a foul inside the box which then mean it’s a penalty.”
This! The rule book doesn’t have “Does it happen inside/outside the box” -tickbox for each foul. If it’s a foul, it’s a foul. Inside OR outside the box. End of story.
I’d be livid if this went against us (IIRC, a similar one did earlier in the year) but when I am the overlord of all football, referees will be required to reverse decisions if the player playacts as much as Gimenez did for that one – was embarrassing seeing him with an ice pack on his face. Also thought Santi was a bit lucky not to get caught lashing out at the defender yelling at him straight after.
My thought exactly. Embarrassing to see. I feel embarrassed to get that kind of penalty. Makes me not enjoy the win at all. Also thought his lash at Ranieri looked like a child getting told off by his parents. Laying on the floor kicking and screaming…
Not enjoy the win?
How many times have you seen far softer penalties go against Milan? Too many.
You don’t want a penalty? Don’t hit Santi in the face and then pull him down in the box. Pretty simple.
Forza Milan.
Why will a fan be saying this, did you see the VAR video. Do you know players also react so the referee attention will be drawn to the incident, if they just stand up the play will go on.
First, the Fiorentina player’s hand is on Gimenez’s face, and then he pulls him by the shoulder. The whole face is covered with a fist. So the intent is obvious to stop Gimenez. What are some critics talking about? Either they mention a hand on the face or a pull, but never both contacts.
Yes, he punched him, did a 360 back flip, put his hand on his face, pulled his shorts down and then pulled his shoulder, all in 0.2 seconds.
Clear as day a pen. Let’s be serious. It’s about time we had a call go our way as I’ve lost doubt how many pens we should have had by now but were denied.
Lost count
It was a clear and obvious penalty. As for Fofana’s arm in the face of Ranieri, which also caused bleeding, he was lucky not to be sent off. Had Ranieri rolled around like Gimenez and stood up with blood in his face, there probably would’ve been a red, and had Gimenez not rolled around like that maybe there wouldn’t have been a penalty. The rolling around is pathetic indeed, but it might be necessary, unfortunately.
Well said. It is how it is. Unfortunately. Sometimes you gotta do the acting part to get justice.
I didn’t see the foul of Fofana, so I can’t comment.
But as for the action on Gimenez. It is clearly a penalty. Definitely Gimenez was acting, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have gotten that penalty if he hadn’t. Just look at what happened to Nkuku in the game against Bologna. VAR didn’t even look at it. So, if the players have to roll on the floor before the ref blows the whistle then shame on them, and don’t blame the player for acting.
This. 100%. And also, the ref was whistling AGAINST Milan for 90 minutes. Every single call was favoring Viola. Until the penalty but even there the ref was really reluctant to give it to Milan.
He was. And he also was getting confrontational about it.
This ref seemed a little drunk on power.
I can think of 2-3 times in the first half alone where there were clear Fiorentina fouls to win the ball back from Milan that weren’t called. At least two should’ve been free kicks in a decent area. So….
Yeah. When Ricci was fouled from behind right in front of the penalty box and the ref signaled “he got the ball” when the replays showed he tackled Ricci from behind and did NOT get the ball at all. Even a blind ref would have seen the foul there but not this guy.
IT WAS A PENALTY…THE REF WAS RIGHT…MANY PENALTY WAS AWARDED AGAINST MILAN IN THE PASS..NO ONE MAKE ANY COMMENTS,,HAS FIORENTINA BEEN AWARDED ANY PENALTY IN THE PASS THAT WAS NOT A PENALTY…SORRY WHEN THINGS GOES IN YOUR WAY YOUR TEAM IT OK WHEN ITS AGAINST YOUR TEAM IT SCANDOULOUS…MILAN DESERVE THE WIN AND THE PENALTY…