Rizzoli: 'VAR error on Lautaro'

By Football Italia staff

Refereeing designator Nicola Rizzoli confirms Atalanta should’ve received a penalty against Inter. “It was an error from the VAR official.”

The incident occurred during the first half of the 1-1 draw, when Rafael Toloi was prevented from tapping in on the rebound because Lautaro Martinez wrapped an arm around his ankle to trip him over.

There had been suggestions Duvan Zapata had pushed Lautaro, which would’ve negated the second foul, but multiple replays show the Atalanta striker if anything only made real contact with Toloi and not his opponent.

“Gianluca Rocchi had a good game, if we exclude the Lautaro Martinez incident with Toloi,” designator Rizzoli told Radio Anch’Io Sport.

“Rocchi and all referees are happy if VAR corrects errors. This was a human error. The VAR did not see malice in Lautaro Martinez’s intervention and that was a human error, so he got it wrong, not Rocchi.”

It’s reported the VAR on that occasion, Massimiliano Irrati, will be suspended for a few games after this mistake.

“I don’t like talking about taking people out of the loop. I decide based on who is in the best form,” assured Rizzoli.

“He certainly won’t be stopped in punitive fashion. He just needs to rediscover his focus.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow