Referee Ravshan Irmatov has admitted to making a mistake in awarding Italy’s second goal during their 4-2 defeat to Brazil at the Confederations Cup on Saturday.
Giorgio Chiellini’s goal was allowed to stand even though Irmatov appeared to have blown for a penalty in Italy’s favour seconds earlier. Brazil angrily protested the goal, which made the score 3-2 to Brazil and brought Italy back into the match.
The Uzbek official later confirmed he had whistled for a penalty, Fifa said.
“He admitted he made a mistake with regards to the incident penalty-goal,” Fifa spokesman Pekka Odriozola confirmed. “(It was) a technical mistake, he has also admitted that, once you blow the whistle you have stopped play, you cannot give the advantage.
“He doesn’t want to make excuses, but he explained what the situation was like for him,” said Odriozola.
“It was very quick, while he was blowing (for the penalty), out of the corner of his eye, he saw the goal could be scored, (then) the goal was scored. He was thinking quickly and he did not want to give any excuses.”
Odriozola could not say whether the referee would be sent home from the tournament. “Without analysing the performances, (Fifa refereeing chief) Massimo Busacca said referees are human and make mistakes just like anyone else, like players or strikers might miss a clear scoring chance,” he added.
Goals from Dante, Neymar and a brace from Fred gave Brazil a well-deserved 4-2 victory as the improving hosts made it three wins from three in the Confederations Cup.
With Neymar in sparkling form and Fred always dangerous in front of goal, Brazil were the better team for most of a Group A match they never looked like losing.
Both were sides already through to the semi-finals of the World Cup warm-up so Italy coach Cesare Prandelli freshened things up with five changes from the team that started against Japan in Recife three days ago.
But even though home side Brazil only needed a point to qualify in first place, they were the hungrier side from the off.
“Movement is important and we are doing it well, the variations we have in attack, we change position and it drives the opposition a bit crazy,” Neymar said.
It was Neymar who was involved in the opening goal right on half-time. His inswinging free kick from the left was headed goalbound by Fred and when Buffon could only parry it out, Dante was on hand to sidefoot the ball home.
Italy grabbed an equaliser six minutes into the second period and it was Mario Balotelli who played a key role. His sublime backheeled flick put Emanuele Giaccherini free and he hammered his angled drive past Julio Cesar.
Their lead did not last long, however. Four minutes later Neymar won a dubious free kick right on the edge of the box and he took the kick himself, curling a perfect shot into the top corner of the net past a helpless Buffon.
Fred increased the lead in the 66th minute when he latched onto a long ball from Marcelo and held off a defender before smashing the ball home.
Italy were down but not out and they snatched a goal back in the 71st minute. The Brazilian defence failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Giorgio Chiellini, who fired home despite Brazil protesting that the referee had given a penalty.
However, Fred put a more accurate sheen on the result when he scored a fourth just a minute from time.