Antonio Conte slams referee Damir Skomina for not awarding Inter Milan a ‘clear penalty’

Antonio Conte slammed referee Damir Skomina for not awarding his Inter Milan side a ‘clear penalty’ during their defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The Italians led the Champions League clash for almost an hour thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s strike before Luis Suarez netted a brace to seal victory for the hosts at the Nou Camp.

Conte was furious with Skomina’s officiating, insisting the official who oversaw last season’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham missed an obvious penalty shout.

Conte was sure Inter midfielder Stefano Sensi was tripped in the box by Barcelona’s Arthur

Conte was adamant Inter midfielder Stefano Sensi was tripped in the box by Arthur, although Skomina quickly waved play on.  

He said after the game: ‘I think there has been a clear penalty that we have not been given and then Barcelona have scored an equaliser.

‘We are talking about an international referee, who has experience, who took charge of the Champions League final.

‘We want respect, we didn’t like many things. This is what leaves me bitter, but I don’t want to give my players an excuse.’

Luis Suarez netted a brace to seal victory for the hosts at the Nou Camp on match day two

The former Chelsea manager added: ‘A draw is a good result and I cannot blame my players.

‘They have been playing a lot of games and struggled physically but I am disgusted because we deserved more. 

‘I have a hard time digesting defeat. We thought we could come here against a top team and harm them. Now I see the glass half empty because we only have one point.

‘I am angry and so must the players. I want a winning mentality in the team.’