AIA admits: the penalty after Mkhitaryan’s foul on Di Lorenzo was a mistake

The leadership of the Italian Referees Association (AIA) reviewed controversial episodes from the Serie A match between Napoli and Inter (3:1). After a detailed video analysis, it was concluded that the main referee, Maurizio Mariani, made an error in awarding a penalty, and his assistant, Daniele Bindoni, committed a serious blunder.

According to the commission, there were no grounds for the penalty — the referee’s decision resulted from an incorrect recommendation by the assistant. Both referees have been temporarily suspended from officiating Serie A matches, with the assistant receiving a harsher punishment.

The penalty was awarded in the 30th minute after Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Mkhitaryan was injured in the same contact and had to leave the pitch early.

The 36-year-old Armenian midfielder suffered a left thigh flexor injury and will miss some time. The exact recovery period will be determined after further medical examination.