Conte accepts Genoa non-penalty call

Coach Antonio Conte has apologised to Italian referees after being told that Juventus were right to not be awarded a penalty in the draw with Genoa.

The Old Lady felt that referee Marco Guida was wrong in his belief that Andreas Granqvist’s injury-time handball in the 1-1 draw was unintentional.

Conte was handed a two-match ban for his protests at the end of the game.

Conte was present at a Milan meeting earlier today between referees, Serie A Coaches and club captains.

Referee designator Stefano Braschi discussed the Granqvist incident where he underlined how Guida was right to interpret the incident as he did.

“It was a complicated situation,” Braschi, President of the AIA, stated. “We spoke about it today and almost everyone said the handball was not intentional.

“The fact that Granqvist basically kicked the ball at his own arm was evaluated. Almost everyone agreed with that.

“Guida noted what occurred with certainty. In cases like this it was right to not award a penalty.”

Conte, having accepted the explanation, apologised for his and his club’s reaction to the case.

“He understood that he went a bit too far,” the former referee continued. “What counts in situations like this is whether the handball is voluntary or not.”

There was more controversy in Serie A last night when Milan were awarded an injury-time penalty which was converted by Mario Balotelli in the 2-1 win over Udinese.

“It’s simple to evaluate that one, it wasn’t a penalty,” Braschi stated. “The referee made a mistake in evaluating the incident. We’re sorry, but it’s part of the game.”