Atalanta Defeat Napoli 2-1 After Controversial VAR Calls

Overview

• Referee Daniele Chiffi awarded a Napoli penalty for contact between Rasmus Hojlund and Isak Hien, then revoked it after a VAR review that judged the clash insufficient for a foul.
• Seconds later, a Miguel Gutierrez strike was ruled out for a soft tug by Hojlund on Hien without a VAR recommendation to review the on-field call.
• Napoli director Giovanni Manna condemned the officiating as “absurd” and “embarrassing,” questioning why VAR did not intervene on the disallowed goal.
• Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino said Hien’s arm was pulled in the build-up, while ex-referee Luca Marelli agreed with the penalty revocation but said he could not understand the goal cancellation.
• Third-choice goalkeeper Nikita Contini criticized the refereeing on Instagram as a “farce,” with the result leaving Napoli level with Roma on 50 points and four ahead of fifth-placed Juventus.