Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool – Ex Serie A Referee Stunned By Felix Zwayer Horror Show: “A Mess, VAR Intervention Was Inappropriate”

Former Serie A referee Graziano Cesari condemned Felix Zwayer after Tuesday’s Champions League game between Inter Milan and Liverpool.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset via FCInter1908, Cesari assessed Zwayer’s controversial penalty decision.

Indeed, the German referee awarded a soft penalty in the 88th minute, giving Inter little time to bounce back.

However, his controversial call hasn’t gone unnoticed, drawing widespread criticism from pundits and former referees across Europe.

Many argue that the contact was far too minimal to justify such a decisive sanction, especially at such a critical moment of the match.

Zwayer’s handling of the situation has sparked heated debate, with several experts highlighting inconsistencies in his approach.

Furthermore, many, including Cesari, have questioned the VAR’s involvement, as it was an incorrect intervention.

Graziano Cesari Slams Felix Zwayer After Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool Loss

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Referee Felix Zwayer signals during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Cesari believes Zwayer’s original decision was correct, but he let his VAR team sway him.

“It’s the classic ‘soft penalty.’ These are the kinds of calls that try to challenge Collina at FIFA and Rosetti at UEFA,” Cesari said.

“Decisions that ‘spoil’ football and drag the refereeing category into the abyss.

“Can a tiny tug lasting just fractions of a second instantly bring a player down? Certainly not.

“With a delayed reaction, yes – and with an ill-timed and inappropriate VAR intervention, a penalty gets awarded.

“Zwayer’s on-field decision was correct. Play continues. In short, a real ‘mess’ that UEFA will probably try to close quickly.”

For Inter, it only adds to a growing list of high-profile refereeing setbacks that have derailed their momentum this season.

However, there’s no time to dwell on the past, as Inter must quickly turn to Sunday’s away league clash against Genoa.