The controversial handball incident involving Federico Gatti during Como’s 2-1 loss to Juventus continues to spark debate in Italian football. The episode, which occurred just before Randal Kolo Muani’s decisive penalty, has been a point of contention, with Como coach Cesc Fabregas voicing strong criticism.
Fabregas expressed his frustration, stating, “There’s no interpretation needed; it’s a clear penalty. Gatti deflects the ball and denies Douvikas the chance for a winning goal. In the end, you lose the match and feel like a fool, with zero points. I’m not staying silent because this has happened many times in January. I’m not speaking for myself; I’m defending Como, the club, and the city. Enough is enough. I excuse tonight’s referee for possibly missing it, but when this play goes to VAR, that’s when I have doubts…”
Tonight, during the “Open VAR” segment on DAZN, which features AIA (Italian Referees Association) officials analysing audio between field referees and VAR room, explanations will be provided for why Abisso and Guida allegedly made the correct decision, considering Gatti’s movement as consistent with his intention.
However, Fabregas’ main point, shared by referee designator Rocchi, is the need for consistency in decision-making across similar incidents. Without uniformity, controversies are likely to continue accumulating every weekend.
