Ex-refs chief makes his feelings clear over Inter Milan vs Arsenal penalty controversy as footage emerges

Inter Milan were not unfortunate to have calls for a penalty waved away as Arsenal claimed a 3-1 win at the San Siro on Tuesday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Lautaro Martinez was trying to buy a spot-kick against the Gunners on 20 January.

Referee Joao Pinheiro made some interesting decisions on the night, but stopping Mikel Arteta‘s side from conceding a penalty was not one of them, with William Saliba standing his ground in the box.

Arsenal wanted a penalty against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with Ola Aina handling the ball in the area, and many supporters will feel this decision was justice served away from the Emirates.

Lautaro Martinez attempts to buy a penalty at San Siro

In the 54th minute, Martinez was flattened in the box, going down holding face after contact from Saliba, but the referee was unmoved, and Hackett can completely understand why after watching the footage.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty claim, the former referee said: “Throughout my career, when I pointed to the penalty spot to award a spot-kick, it had to be 100 per cent nailed on.

“In this incident, the forward is looking for the penalty kick and to manufacture contact. I am, therefore, not going to award a penalty kick. So, it’s a correct decision by the officials.”

Hackett has been very critical of Premier League referees this season, but with Daniel Svensson also correctly sent off in Tottenham’s win, the former PGMOL chief is pleased with what he saw.

What did Alan Shearer make of the Inter Milan penalty call?

There were certainly shouts for a penalty, and the away fans will have been looking away as nerves built, but Alan Shearer felt that the correct decision was reached at the San Siro.

Speaking live on Amazon Prime (20 January, 9:11pm), Shearer said: “It’s those in a red shirt who want it more than anyone. And that’s exactly what he [Saliba] did. Martinez wants a penalty, and he runs into him, but no, not for me.“

It turned out to be a key moment in the game, with Viktor Gyokeres coming on for the final 15 minutes and firing an effort past Yann Sommer to put the game out of sight for the Gunners.

Given that Shearer is part of the striker union, fans will need to listen if the Newcastle United legend denies a penalty call like this.

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