The match between Inter and Fiorentina, played on Saturday, was reported by numerous observers for numerous arbitrary disputes, in particular for the application of the so-called "high threshold" and for a foul which led to the awarding of a penalty against the midfielder Valdepeñas and the defender Thuram.
According to testimonies, the referee on the field, Mariani, showed a rating of 5 out of 10, highlighting a technical evaluation that was not always linear. The most discussed case is that of Viery-Thuram, where the French midfielder freed his right leg and hit the defender's left, but the referee hesitated to blow the whistle, leaving the decision to the judgment of VAR. VAR, represented by Santoro and Fabbri, was criticized for its failure to intervene promptly, with Fabbri avoiding intervening and assistant Christian Rossi maintaining his silence.
The penalty awarded to Valdepeñas and Thuram was the subject of further controversy. The Nerazzurri attempted to escape from contact with the opponent, but was stopped by the goalkeeper, who grabbed the incoming ball. Furthermore, Dragusin's embrace of Thuram was considered excessive, with the possibility that the defender was pushed in a risky manner. Bastoni and Pongracic were also involved in a series of gestures that raised doubts about the legitimacy of the contact.
VAR confirmed Fabbri's decision, but his lack of timely intervention made the situation even more controversial. The final decision was made based on the images, but many expressed their frustration with the handling of the match.
In conclusion, the Inter-Fiorentina match turned into a real case of "high threshold", with the referee and VAR demonstrating that they were unable to adequately manage the game situations. The controversy remains open and could have repercussions on future decisions in the league.