VAR inconsistency pointed out after Inter's penalty vs. Napoli and Fullkrug-Ostigard incident

"The referee Doveri had not initially seen the touch on Mkhitaryan by Rrahmani, but after the VAR call, after 18 seconds the final decision was made. The touch of the Kosovar defender, after the midfielder's kick, was obvious, and the penalty was correct. This situation is codified and globally accepted, like the Pavlovic-Thuram case in the derby. If it is not applied, like the Gila vs. Conceiçao case, it is considered a mistake by the referee Rocchi."

"La moviola di Cesari: Ostigard-Fullkrug come Rrhamani-Mkhitaryan Graziano Cesari a Pressing: "Il piede sinistro di Ostigard colpisce il piede sinistro di Fullkrug. Questi interventi sono assolutamente scorretti, quindi sono da punire" @sportmediaset pic.twitter.com/jliLfWwUWh - Zelus (@garante_il) January 12, 2026"

Referee Doveri initially missed contact by Rrahmani on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but a VAR review led to a penalty being awarded after 18 seconds, which Hakan Calhanoglu converted to make it 2-1. Scott McTominay equalised ten minutes later and the match finished 2-2. Observers highlighted inconsistency because Leo Ostigard was not punished for an apparent stamp on Niclas Füllkrug during Milan's 1-1 draw with Genoa. Refereeing guidance cites the Pavlovic–Thuram precedent and notes that failure to apply the rule, as in Gila vs. Conceição, is considered a refereeing mistake, prompting calls for consistent enforcement.

Read at SempreMilan