Refereeing designator Stefano Braschi insists “you could only tell it was a penalty via the television camera” in Juventus-Torino.
Nicola Rizzoli is under a great deal of pressure after his performance in the game on Sunday, which saw Juventus beat Torino 1-0.
Omar El Kaddouri was tripped by Andrea Pirlo in the final minutes, but he was only booked for dissent.
“You could not see the incident from the pitch,” insisted refereeing designator Braschi.
“Even Giampiero Ventura only realised what had happened when watching back the footage at the end of the game.
“You could only tell it was a penalty via the images of a television camera.”
This caused particular controversy because the referee had a very clear view of the contact between the players.
“Rizzoli was in a good position, just like his goalline assistant Calvarese,” continued Braschi.
“TV evidence can only help in occasions where it’s not clear if the ball crossed the line or if a foul was committed inside or outside the penalty area.
“On the field, all other decisions are down to the referee. Even then, he cannot see certain situations.”
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Torino player Riccardo Meggiorini mocked Juventus for their “12th man” – the referee – after the Derby della Mole.
The Granata lost 1-0 on Sunday and were furious that Omar El Kaddouri was denied a penalty in the closing minutes, while Arturo Vidal twice risked a second yellow card.
“Juve’s strength is the so-called 12th man on the field...” wrote Meggiorini on Twitter, referring to an old football cliché about the crowd.
“It’s on the field, though, because it’s certainly not the Juve fans!”
Teammate Kamil Glik also tweeted a photograph of the moment Andrea Pirlo tripped El Kaddouri in the penalty area.