Late Penalty Sparks Debate in Serie A Clash

A 1-1 draw between Juventus and Sassuolo on Saturday evening was marred by a controversial penalty decision in the 84th minute. The spot-kick, awarded to Juventus for a handball, ultimately didn’t change the scoreline as Manuel Locatelli’s attempt was saved by Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

Marelli Breaks Down the VAR Review

Former referee and current DAZN pundit Luca Marelli provided a detailed analysis of the incident, explaining why the VAR review led to the penalty being awarded. The key factor, according to Marelli, was the unnatural position of Sassuolo defender Jay Idzes’ arm.

“Idzes’ left arm was completely out of the way of the ball on Locatelli’s header; it was necessary to determine whether there had been contact and whether it was punishable. They confirmed that there had indeed been contact with the arm. To clearly show that there had been contact, they broadcast the image from the front.”

Luca Marelli, DAZN

Marelli emphasized the thoroughness of the review process, stating that the extended deliberation was necessary to confirm the contact between the ball and Idzes’ arm.

“It was necessary to assess whether there had been contact with the arm, that’s why the verification took time. After ensuring that Idzes had touched the ball with his arm, contact was made sanctionnable both because the arm is above shoulder height and because he is completely out of silhouette.”

Luca Marelli, DAZN

Key Factors in the Decision

• Arm Position: Idzes’ arm was deemed to be in an unnatural position, extending away from his body.
• Contact: VAR confirmed contact between the ball and Idzes’ arm.
• Height: The arm was positioned above shoulder height at the time of contact.

Missed Opportunity for Juventus

Despite being awarded the penalty, Juventus failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Locatelli’s shot was saved by Muric, preserving the 1-1 draw.

FAQ

What was the main reason for awarding the penalty?

The penalty was awarded because Jay Idzes’ arm was deemed to be in an unnatural position, making contact with the ball above shoulder height.

How long did the VAR review take?

The review took a significant amount of time as officials needed to confirm contact between the ball and Idzes’ arm through multiple camera angles.

Did the penalty change the outcome of the match?

No, the penalty did not change the outcome of the match as Locatelli missed the resulting spot-kick.