Italian Referee Weighs in on Osimhen’s Penalty Claim Against Verona

Napoli drew 1-1 against Verona at the weekend, in spite of being in control for most of the match. Former referee Graziano Cesari has spoken against the controversial decision of denying Victor Osimhen a penalty.

The penalty could have sealed the match for Partenopei. The incident happened in the 41st minute when the score was already 1-1. The head referee Giovanni Ayroldi decided against the penalty, insisting that the Nigerian striker had, in fact, fouled his opponent, Koray Gunter.

Graziano Cesari told Area Napoli that he believes that there was contact between Gunter and Osimhen. “Gunter loses his balance by touching the ground. Then he continues his run and goes against the Napoli player: Gunter touches Osimhen, then with his knee, he touches Osimhen’s back-thigh,” Cesari says.

Because of this, the former referee believes that a penalty call would have been the correct decision.

Victor Osimhen returned to Napoli’s starting line-up after an injury and played a good game. In spite of Napoli’s dominance, and Verona‘s two red cards late in the second half, the Partenopei were unable to earn a victory.

The draw, however, has left Napoli in first place after challengers AC Milan also drew against Inter.