Gravina admits Milan penalty incident was ‘clear error’ but defends VAR process

The president of the Italian Football Federation has admitted that AC Milan should have been awarded a penalty against Bologna.

Even though Milan eventually got the points thanks to Luka Modric’s winner on the hour mark, there continues to be a lot of fall-out about a farcical incident that took place inside the final few minutes of the match.

The referee Matteo Marcenaro awarded a penalty when Christopher Nkunku went down inside the box. He got back up after being barged over by Lucumi, but then when Freuler stuck a foot in his went over, and that was what drew the spot kick.

However, Marcenaro was called over by the VAR team to review the challenge he actually gave a penalty for. It was deemed that there was minimal contact and overturned, though the incident prior – in which Lucumi committed what looked like a certain foul – was not looked at.

Admission of a mistake

Gabriele Gravina – the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) – spoke to Radio Anch’io Sport about the penalty denied. MilanNews relayed his comments.

“It was a clear error, but when we talk about technology, we’re moving forward, we’re not going back to the past. Technology has significantly reduced the percentage of errors; just look at those cases where referees, without technology, are in doubt and are clearly looking for confirmation.”