Ex-Serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese after Roma 1-2 Empoli: “There was a penalty call missed for Roma.”

Former Serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese pointed out a controversial episode in tonight’s 1-2 loss to Empoli.

At the 94th minute, Shomurodov was held by Empoli’s Emmanuel Gyasi a few meters from match official Zufferli who let it go and was not even called back by VAR for the on-field review.

In a post on Twitter, Calvarese wrote, “There was a penalty call missed in the final minutes in favor of Roma, against Empoli.”

“Shomurodov has the advantage over Gyasi, and takes his time,” pointed out the retired referee. “The Uzbek attacker gets to the ball but is unable to hit it well because the opponent holds him functionally at shoulder height.”