This weekend, AC Milan were involved in yet another interesting referee debacle, this time against them. Since the game, it has been a frequent talking point.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Milan have not been strangers to referee errors this season, and this weekend, the latest played out. In the dying moments of the game, Strahinja Pavlovic was the victim of a wrongful penalty call, and it seemed the Rossoneri could lose two well-fought points.
However, after review, the penalty was cancelled, and the Rossoneri held onto the 1-0 lead, taking them to the top of the Serie A table.
OpenVAR: Milan-Lazio
In the days since, there has been a lot said about the decision, with a suspension even likely for the VAR. Now, as is the case every Tuesday, DAZN have released the OpenVAR programme (via MilanNews), and the Milan-Lazio incident is shown.
VAR: “Possible handball. Give me time, I’m reviewing. Let me see who hits it first. I get it, but the arm is up. Wait while I check, checking in progress. If it goes out, it could be punishable, but that arm looks super tight…
“No, it’s a bit wide. And the ball is going there. So wait, there’s a possible handball, so I have to check. He extends his elbow, and he makes a little movement. I recommend an OFR [On-Field Review] for a possible penalty.”
Collu goes to the monitor and – referring to the Milan bench – says: “Gentlemen, I don’t control things like that. Mister, everyone over there.”
Allegri: “Every time you referee…”
Collu pulls out the red card: “Off.”
Meanwhile, VAR is still reviewing the incident: “It’s a shot on goal, and he extends his elbow.”
Collu sends the players away: “I still have to check. Romagnoli, will you get your bench back, please? Everyone, sit down. Go to the bench. Come on, everyone inside, I have to check. Everyone, sit down.”
The referee comes to the monitor.
VAR: “I’ll show you.”
Collu: “He blocks it with his elbow, wait a minute. But there’s a foul by Marusic who holds him back first.”
VAR: “I’ll show you the whole dynamic.”
Collu: “Marusic holds him back before the handball. Show me the timing of Marusic holding him back.”
VAR: “Do you want to see Marusic?”
Collu: “Perfect, the shirt is pulled. I’m calling a foul for the defence.”
VAR: “It’s your decision.”
Collu: “Ok, I’ll explain that there is a handball, but there is a foul before.”
VAR: “He’s [Marusic] in front of him [Pavlovic] in my opinion. In any case, it’s his choice.”