A controversial incident in the Genoa v Udinese match: Kabasele's penalty decision rescinded
The match between Genoa and Udinese saw a tense moment in the second half when a penalty awarded to Genoa was eventually rescinded after a VAR review. The incident involving Kabasele's handball sparked debate and reaction from players and fans alike.
The controversial incident in the second half of the Genoa v Udinese matchThe match between Genoa and Udinese, which kicked off at 8.45 pm on Friday 20 March as part of the 30th round of the 2025/2026 Serie A season, saw a moment of great tension in the 49th minute of the second half when, following a handball by Kabasele in the box, referee Collu awarded a penalty to the Rossoblù.However, following a lengthy VAR check, the referee was called to the On-Field Review, which convinced him to overturn the penalty decision, sparking a reaction from the Genoa bench and the entire stadium.A long, central pass was played to Colombo; the Genoa striker controlled the ball on the run and drove towards the penalty area, whilst Kabasele, who had lost his mark, blocked the path with his left arm – which, although initially held bent behind his back, was extended slightly towards the ball at the moment of contact. Collu spotted this movement and immediately blew his whistle for a penalty. Without that deflection, Colombo would have found himself one-on-one with Okoye.DAZN’s video analyst, Luca Marelli, commented on the incident before Collu’s decision as follows: “It’s not an easy call; let’s see what they decide in the VAR room. We need to see if there’s an increase in body volume. There is a slight movement towards the ball, but we need to consider whether there is actually an increase in volume or whether an arm is actually making contact but in a natural position. Given that they are going to review it, they have probably judged that the arm is in a natural position."Referee Collu, standing in the centre of the pitch, announced the reversal of the decision that had been made on the pitch: "Following a review, player number 27's arm is in a natural position. Final decision: the penalty is rescinded."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingFollowing the decision, Collu produced a red card for one of Daniele De Rossi’s teammates. This gave VAR analyst Luca Marelli time to finish his explanation: “What the VAR room had concluded – and which Collu subsequently confirmed as correct – was that, although there was a movement, probably instinctive, towards the ball, there was no increase in the player’s body volume. The front-facing camera did not show the arm at the moment of contact."
The Controversial Handball Incident
The Genoa v Udinese match, part of the 2025/2026 Serie A season, took a dramatic turn in the 49th minute of the second half. A long pass to Colombo saw Kabasele blocking his path with a slight extension of his arm towards the ball. Referee Collu initially awarded a penalty but later overturned the decision after a VAR check.
DAZN's Video Analyst's Assessment
DAZN's video analyst, Luca Marelli, provided insights into the incident, highlighting the complexity of the decision. Marelli pointed out the need to consider factors like body volume and the position of the arm to determine if the handball was intentional. The VAR room ultimately judged that Kabasele's arm was in a natural position.
The Reversal of the Penalty Decision
Referee Collu, after consulting the On-Field Review, announced that Kabasele's arm was in a natural position, leading to the rescinding of the penalty. This decision sparked reactions from the Genoa bench and stadium, emphasizing the significance of VAR in modern football officiating.
Final Verdict and Consequences
The final decision to rescind the penalty was based on the assessment that although Kabasele had instincively stretched his arm towards the ball, there was no significant increase in body volume. Collu's call to reverse the decision led to a red card for a Genoa player, highlighting the impact of VAR in ensuring fair and accurate refereeing decisions.
