Sulemana-Dumfries Clash VAR Review: Contact ruled as Normal Play
Delve into the analysis of the controversial Sulemana-Dumfries clash during the Inter v Atalanta match, as discussed on DAZN's Open VAR. The verdict: Normal contact in the course of play, not a foul. Referee Manganiello's interaction with Dutch player Dumfries adds an intriguing twist to the incident.
Open VAR, DAZN’s regular weekly programme in collaboration with the AIA and FIGC, analysed the most talked-about moment of the Inter v Atalanta match: the contact between Sulemana and Dumfries that led to Krstovic’s equaliser. Former referee and current CAN member Dino Tommasi commented on the incident as follows: “There is no shove, there is a touch; the hand is barely touching, there is no pressure, there is no shove. Even the low contact is assessed using all the cameras; in the VAR room, they eventually realise that there is no foul whatsoever. Dumfries ‘does a bicycle kick’; as he lifts his left foot, there is contact as he falls, but it is not a foul. A normal part of the game; Manganiello made the correct decision on the pitch and it was properly analysed in the VAR room using all the available cameras. The contact is absolutely normal.”Matteo Garigio and Daniele Chiffi, in the VAR room, comment on the Sulemana-Dumfries challenge as follows: "He’s not pushing him. Let’s look at the close-up; I want to see if there’s clear contact at the lower body. But there’s no pushing; there’s no shove. He’s in front; there’s no contact at the lower body." Then to Manganiello: "I’ve checked all the cameras, there’s nothing there. There’s never any clear contact where he trips him up. It’s him doing the bicycle kick. Goal stands."Then referee Manganiello said to Dumfries, who was furious at the missed foul: "You slipped, Denzel, you didn't realise. You've still got 10 minutes to win this, come on." Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
The Verdict: Normal Play, No Foul
DAZN's Open VAR, in collaboration with the AIA and FIGC, dissected the pivotal moment of the Inter v Atalanta game involving Sulemana and Dumfries. Former referee Dino Tommasi emphasized that the contact was insignificant, with no evidence of a foul. Multiple camera angles in the VAR room affirmed the decision, concluding it was a routine part of the game.
Insight from the VAR Room
Matteo Garigio and Daniele Chiffi, overseeing the VAR review, highlighted the absence of any intentional push or shove. After careful scrutiny, they confirmed that the contact did not warrant a foul, especially noting Dumfries' movement resembling a bicycle kick. Referee Manganiello subsequently endorsed the decision, standing by the initial call.
Manganiello's Conversation with Dumfries
In a compelling turn of events, referee Manganiello addressed Dumfries' frustration over the lack of a foul call, attributing the incident to the defender's slip. Encouraging the Dutch player to refocus on the game, Manganiello provided an additional incentive by reminding him of the remaining time to make an impact on the match.
