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Milan’s Derby Win Stands as Serie A Refereeing Chief Backs No-Penalty Call on Ricci

Top officiating figures say the late Ricci handball was not punishable under current guidance.

Overview

  • Pervis Estupiñán’s first-half strike sealed Milan’s 1-0 victory over Inter, trimming the gap at the top to seven points with 10 matches left.
  • In stoppage time the ball hit Samuele Ricci’s arm in the area, Daniele Doveri declined to award a penalty after a VAR check.
  • Referees’ designator Gianluca Rocchi endorsed the decision, and analyst Luca Marelli said the touch was not punishable because Ricci moved to avoid contact under FIFA/Serie A interpretation.
  • Ex-players and pundits such as Beppe Bergomi and Paolo Di Canio called for a pitchside review and questioned VAR’s non-intervention, while Alessandro Costacurta supported a higher bar for handball penalties.
  • Inter staff also objected to only six minutes of stoppage time and a corner-kick goal nullified by an early whistle, as fans drew parallels to last season’s “Bisseck handball” even though the club vowed to move on.