Open VAR Analysis of Penalty in Juventus vs Sassuolo: A Clear Decision
Delve into Open VAR's analysis of Idzes' handball and the penalty awarded to Juventus in their match against Sassuolo. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the controversial incident.

Open VAR's analysis of Idzes' handball and the penalty awarded to Juventus.At the VAR centre in Lissone for the regular ‘Open VAR’ segment, Mauro Tonolini, a member of the National Referees’ Committee (CAN), is in the DAZN studios to assess all the controversial incidents from the latest round of Serie A fixtures, Matchday 30.The first incident analysed by the programme was the penalty awarded to Juventus – in their match against Sassuolo, refereed by Marchetti with Abisso and Camplone on VAR duty – for a handball by Idzes inside the penalty area during an aerial challenge with Vlahovic, who had come on as a substitute a few minutes earlier.Referee: “No, no, no! No, no, not in my view, it’s definitely going down.”VAR: “Wait, wait. Go on, it looks high to me. Wait, I’ve got another one… Yes, the arm looks very high, go on. I need to see the touch, wait… Yes, yes, yes. Stop the game, stop the game, stop the game, stop. Just a moment while I check the app.”Referee: “No, it’s fine, we’re checking that, just a moment, they’re checking (speaking to the players on the pitch, ed.). They need to see a handball.”VAR: “The point of contact is clear and it’s this one here (showing the image of Idzes’ outstretched arm, ed.). I want the point of contact clear, let’s look for it on a camera. Exactly, it’s this one here. Let’s check the app, there are no flags. Just a moment, I need to give you the right camera. There, that’s it, this is the best one. Matte, come here, I’m recommending an on-field review for a possible handball. Is the player number 21 or number 2? We’ll see later, the player is Sassuolo’s number 21.”Referee: “Perfect, his bicep is moving, so his arm position is unnatural. There’s nothing before that, OK, it’s Sassuolo’s number 21.”Following the announcement of the review, a penalty is awarded. Tonolini comments on this decision as follows: “In this instance, the greatest difficulty lies not in assessing whether Idzes’s arm—which is above shoulder height—constitutes a foul, but in determining whether the ball was actually touched by his arm. All the cameras in the VAR room are reviewed, and the contact is best seen from camera 16. Once this has been verified, Marchetti is rightly called to the monitor and observes the sequence. There is contact; it is a clear penalty, so the final decision is correct. Vlahovic marks with his right arm, but Idzes’s left arm is unnatural, so it is a penalty.”All the latest updates in real time! Join the CALCIOMERCATO.COM WhatsApp channel: click hereAdd GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
VAR's Intricate Review Process
During the VAR analysis at Lissone, Mauro Tonolini critically assessed the penalty incident between Juventus and Sassuolo. The concern wasn't whether Idzes' arm warranted a penalty due to its high position, but the crucial point was determining if there was actual contact with the ball.
The Key Decision Making Process
The VAR conversation between the officials revealed the meticulousness of their assessment. Tonolini highlighted the importance of finding the point of contact through multiple camera angles to make an informed decision.
Justified Penalty Awarded
Ultimately, after thorough examination, the VAR team confirmed the presence of contact between Idzes' arm and the ball. This led to the correct decision to award Juventus a penalty kick, a move deemed fair given the unnatural position of Idzes' arm.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, VAR played a pivotal role in clarifying the contentious penalty incident. The transparency and diligence exhibited by the officials in reviewing the play showcased the commitment to fair and accurate decision-making in Serie A matches.




