A ball touched with the arm in the penalty area by a Turkish defender was not whistled Friday night in the opening match of the Euro between Italy and Turkey (3-0).
"This is how referees should referee," said former PSG player Jimmy Algerino on Europe 1.
It was a situation that made Italian players cringe and presumably many Squadra Azzura supporters on Friday night.
Moments before half-time and with the score still 0-0 in the Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, Turkish Losc defender Zeki Celik touched the ball with his arm in his penalty area.
But the referee, with video assistance at the refereeing, did not award a penalty to the Italian footballers despite their protests.
An oversight, however, quickly passed unnoticed after Italy's 3-0 victory in this match.
"For football, it's perfect"
While penalties seem whistled for less obvious situations in the European championships every weekend, the scene had something to question football fans. But for former PSG player and Europe 1 football expert Jimmy Algerino, "that's how referees should referee". "For football, it's perfect", he added at half-time of the match on our antenna.
A position also defended by the former coach of AJ Auxerre, Guy Roux.
"Celik did not do it on purpose", he reacted to the microphone of Europe 1. According to him, this arbitration decision shows that "we have returned to the football law of 1860 which was perfectly drafted" .
"I cry for the many shameful penalties that the referees have been forced to whistle in all countries lately," tackled Guy Roux.
Players unaccustomed to so much leniency
Sports journalist at Europe 1, Jean-François Pérès, for his part said that "the referees have received instructions to be a little more flexible with regard to the hands".
Enough to destabilize the players, obviously used to less leniency on the part of the refereeing body.