Why controversial Bologna goal was allowed to stand against Milan for 1-1

DAZN refereeing expert Luca Marelli tried to explain why the Bologna equaliser against Milan was controversially allowed to stand despite suspicions of handball.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

Rafael Leao had put the Rossoneri in front at the Stadio Dall’Ara, which was cancelled out by Santiago Castro firing in from six yards.

Many had assumed that the goal would be disallowed, because Lorenzo De Silvestri nodded down the Lewis Ferguson free kick, it struck Giovanni Fabbian on the arm and then landed into Castro’s path.

However, following a long VAR check, the officials gave the all-clear.

Bologna and Milan waited for VAR verdict

According to DAZN refereeing expert Marelli, the reason is that the rules on handball from IFAB state that intentionality is irrelevant if the goal is “directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, or immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.”

It applies only to the goal-scorer and not someone providing an assist, so in this case the ball struck Fabbian’s arm and not Castro’s.

VAR therefore evaluated Fabbian’s arm to be in a natural position largely across his stomach when hit by De Silvestri’s header, so the goal was allowed to stand.

Bologna are back in it!

Santiago Castro pounces on a loose ball to bring I Rossoblù level against Milan pic.twitter.com/BC9kiOApxl

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 27, 2025