MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan hugs teammate Christopher Nkunku during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi confirms there were ‘two fundamental errors’ by VAR in the handling of the revoked penalty during Milan’s Serie A win over Bologna.
The incident caused huge controversy and saw coach Max Allegri sent off for insulting the fourth official, which in turn earned him a one-match touchline ban.
The Rossoneri were leading 1-0 and maintained that result to the end, but were furious when Christopher Nkunku went down under a push from Jhon Lucumi, referee Matteo Marcenaro waved play on, then pointed to the spot over a Remo Freuler challenge on the same player.
VAR called Marcenaro over to the monitor to view only the second incident, prompting him to revoke the spot-kick.
Milan vs. Bologna penalty incident had double VAR error
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It is a complicated incident,” explained refereeing designator Rocchi on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, where the video and audio of the VAR discussions are analysed.
“I’ll start from the end, saying it was right to revoke the penalty for the second contact. There are two fundamental errors here: none of those involved considered the first contact to be a penalty, whereas for us it absolutely is. Because they took that for granted, they only showed the referee the second incident, rather than let him view the entire footage.
“The second challenge is not a foul because the Bologna player’s foot is on the ground. VAR was a bit too insistent on this. I ask the VAR to be precise in the explanation before sending the referee to the monitor, but the final decision ultimately belongs to the referee and not the VAR.
“In this case, the decision was wrong, because both the referee on the field and VAR didn’t re-evaluate that first incident or consider it worthy of a penalty, whereas we do.”
So what should’ve happened at San Siro for this to fit with the vision of the AIA (Italian Association of Referees)?
“The referee should’ve blown the whistle for the first contact between Lucumi and Nkunku. Once that error was made, VAR should’ve recalled him to show the full move, as the referee has the right to see both incidents,” explained Rocchi.
“The right decision would’ve been to award the penalty for the first foul.”
Allegri was sent off for venting his anger about this error, so should that took be revoked?
“I asked for collaboration from coaches even when there are errors. We are open to admitting errors. I asked for respect, then if they go over the line, we take action.
“I am collaborative, but we need two to collaborate, so it cannot be one-sided. We will be severe when the behaviour is not fair.”
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