Nigeria Players Abroad
Former referee Luca Marelli backs Victor Osimhen’s penalty decision in Juventus win
By Monsurah Olatunji
Former Italian referee Luca Marelli has cleared the air on controversies surrounding Victor Osimhen’s penalty in Napoli’s 2-1 win against Juventus in the Serie A on Sunday.
Napoli won the blockbuster clash, thanks to an 85th-minute penalty decision by referee Mariani.
Osimhen won the penalty when the referee deemed a tackle from Joseph Nonge caught the striker on the ankle after a review on the pitchside monitor.
Many believed the decision was controversial, however, Marellin in a chat with Tuttojuve, insisted that it was obvious his ankle was clipped by Juventus’s Joseph Nonge.
“We focus on the penalty that decides the match,” Mariani said on DAZN via Tuttojuve.
“Osimhen controls the ball between two players: Nonge ‘s intervention is not immediately noticeable, but it is there and it is clear on the Napoli striker’s ankle.
“It’s right to go and review the action. There are no doubts about the penalty and the yellow card for the Juventus player.”
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