Match Referee Controversy
Luca Marioli, the former referee and current officiating expert, said that Christian Pulisic, Milan's star, deserved the disallowed goal.
Milan were held to a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo, wasting two crucial points in the title race.
Key moments and VAR debate
The match sparked criticism of the officiating, with Pulisic's disallowed goal linked to a claimed shove by Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the start of the move, while many argued Sassuolo should have had a penalty.
Marioli told DAZN: 'It was a live on-field assessment of contact; Loftus-Cheek's hands were visible, but I saw no real push.'
He added: 'The whistle blew, but the contact was minor; there was no real push, and the goal should have stood.'
On a late error by Milan's Pavlovic with the score 2-2, he said: 'Pavlovic did not touch the ball, but struck Chidera's left leg with his right foot.'
He also argued that the VAR acted too quickly and that this should have been a penalty for Sassuolo.
Punchline 1: If the referee’s whistle paid rent, it would own a penthouse in Milan.
Punchline 2: And if VAR had a sense of humor, it would interject with 'Nice try' before the goal line.
