What referee and VAR said in tense Milan vs. Lazio pitchside review

DAZN has published the dialogue between referee Giuseppe Collu and VAR official Aleandro Di Paolo during a tense pitchside review in the dying minutes of Milan-Lazio on Saturday: ‘I follow you, but it’s your decision…’

Milan secured a massive 1-0 win over Lazio this past weekend, but the Rossoneri’s victory came with controversy as the Biancocelesti felt they were denied a penalty in stoppage time in the second half.

Strahinja Pavlović touched the ball with his elbow from an Alessio Romagnoli header, so VAR official Di Paolo urged referee Collu to review the incident on the monitor.

There was tension on the touchline during the review, and Milan coach Allegri was even sent off for dissent.

Collu eventually gave a free kick to Milan as he spotted an Adam Marusic foul on Pavlovic before the Milan defender’s handball.

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has already said that the correct decision was to give Lazio a corner kick, suggesting that VAR was wrong to call for a pitchside review.

Therefore, according to Gazzetta, Di Paolo will be suspended for a game, while Collu won’t face any sanction.

Below is the dialogue between Di Paolo (VAR) and Collu (referee) during the review on Saturday night as shown by DAZN via TMW.

VAR: Possible handball, I must show it to you.

Referee during the check: Wait, there’s a Marusic foul before. Marusic pulls him before the handball.

VAR: I’ll show you the whole dynamic, okay?

Referee: Let me see the Marusic timing too…perfect, there’s a shirt-pulling. It’s a foul in favour of the defending team. Are you following me?

VAR: I follow you, but it’s your decision.

Referee: Ok, perfect, I’ll also explain that there’s a handball, but there’s also a foul before.

VAR: Marusic is in front of Pavlovic, but it’s your decision anyway.