Open VAR: Ricci handball not a penalty, says former referee Tonolini

Former referee Mauro Tonolini, speaking on DAZN for the AIA's Open Var segment, analysed Samuele Ricci's last-minute handball in the Milan‑Inter derby and set out the association's view. Tonolini said the incident was correctly assessed on the pitch by Doveri. He noted Ricci's arm remained in line with his body and that the player tried to move it away; had the ball not struck his arm it would have gone to his chest, so the intervention was normal.

He added that real‑time assessment can be more effective than slow motion, which may create unnecessary doubts, and that VAR had no doubts so an on‑field review was unnecessary. He likened the case to Dumfries' touch in Napoli‑Inter, where the arm also stayed within the body outline and the handball was not punished for the same reason.

By contrast, Tonolini said the Bisseck incident in Inter‑Lazio involved an increase in body volume and an arm out of position, and without his intervention the ball would have gone through.

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