Napoli Coach Rages At Inter Milan Penalty Decision In Serie A Clash: ‘Scandalous Error, How Can VAR Not Intervene?’

Napoli coach Antonio Conte feels that the penalty that Inter Milan were awarded against his side was a “scandalous error.”

Conte spoke to DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the Serie A clash. He raged at the decision and question why VAR would not have intervened to change it.

In the end, the penalty that Inter were awarded did not change the result of this evening’s top of the table Serie A clash.

Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu missed a penalty for the Nerazzurri for the first time.

And after that, neither team scored. So the match ended with a 1-1 scoreline.

But had Calhanoglu managed to find the back of the net from the spot as he nearly always does, then the penalty certainly would have been a pivotal moment.

Not just in the match. But also potentially in the title race, considering that Inter and Napoli are right in the thick of it at the top.

Napoli Coach Antonio Conte Rages At “Scandalous Error” On Inter Milan Penalty

Referee Maurizio Mariani decided to give Inter a penalty for a clumsy tackle by Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa on Nerazzurri wingback Denzel Dumfries.

There was not necessarily all that much contact. There did, however, appear to be some.

Therefore, on reviewing the replay, the VAR declined to advise Mariani to have a second look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.

However, Napoli coach Conte was not impressed. “What does it mean when VAR can’t intervene in an error,” he fumed after the match.

“A referee’s decision can change a match like this,” he said.

Conte hit out, “The VAR is either there to correct errors, or it’s not.”

“Otherwise they hide behind these typologies,” he said.

Conte insisted that “If the VAR is there, it has to be used to correct errors.”

“If there’s an error, then the VAR intervenes. Period.”

“When it’s like this, it no longer gives me a sense of security.”

“VAR has to correct mistakes. Not just leave them to the referee. Otherwise, there will be second-guessing.”

Conte then called VAR a “brilliant tool, if used properly.”