In a contentious moment during the Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Fiorentina, refereeing expert Luca Marelli has expressed skepticism regarding the validity of a handball penalty awarded to Fiorentina. The incident occurred late in the first half when Inter wingback Matteo Darmian was penalized after a header from Fiorentina's Robin Gosens struck his wrist. Initially, referee Federico La Penna did not award a penalty, but after a VAR review prompted by Fiorentina's appeals, he reversed his decision, leading to a spot kick that Rolando Mandragora converted to equalize the match.

Marelli highlighted that the penalty decision was "doubtful" and questioned whether it was truly punishable. He noted that while Darmian’s arm was positioned away from his body, the speed and proximity of the ball made it difficult for Darmian to react appropriately. Marelli stated, “He’s not expecting the ball to come at him; the header is from half a metre away.” This raises the key issue of whether the contact could be considered a deliberate handball, especially given the rapid nature of the play.

The decision has sparked debate among players and fans alike, with Inter's squad visibly frustrated by the ruling. Marelli's analysis suggests that the officials may have misjudged the situation, indicating that they perceived Darmian’s arm as being too wide from his body, while he contended that the player was trying to bring his arm closer in response to the incoming ball. This incident adds to the ongoing discussions about the application of handball rules in football, particularly in high-stakes matches like this one.