Another weekend of Italian football, another torrent of contentious refereeing decisions. In an era where technology promises clarity, it often delivers more fuel for debate. Stepping into the fray, Gianluca Rocchi, the head of Serie A and B referees, recently offered a frank assessment of the most talked-about incidents, acknowledging a collective performance that, in his words, “honestly could have been better.”
The Anatomy of a Handball: Bologna-Genoa`s Opening Salvo
The latest edition of `Open Var` began with the Bologna-Genoa fixture, specifically focusing on a handball decision involving Carboni. VAR officials Maggioni and Chiffi initiated a review, noting a “micro movement” from the player towards the ball. The on-field referee, Collu, subsequently confirmed an “extra movement towards the ball” after consulting the monitor. Rocchi, ever the pragmatist, concurred: “The instinctive movement towards the ball makes the handball punishable. It was a complex decision, difficult to accept, but the work done in the VAR room and the announcement was well-executed.” A rather straightforward affirmation, yet a precursor to the labyrinthine world that awaited.
Juventus`s Dubious Penalty: A VAR Misstep
The spotlight then shifted to the Verona-Juventus encounter, where a penalty awarded to Juventus for a handball by Joao Mario became a central point of contention. After a VAR review, referee Rapuano pointed to the spot, drawing parallels to a similar incident in Atalanta-Udinese from the previous season. However, Rocchi emphatically declared this decision as incorrect. “The decision is not correct; it is not a penalty,” he stated. “The other incident [Atalanta-Udinese] is not the same. The dynamic does not make Joao Mario`s arm punishable; the player goes to head the ball, and the descending ball strikes his arm.” He concluded that it was an “erroneous on-field review,” distinguishing it from the Atalanta incident where a defender made an “extra movement.” In the often-subjective world of handball rules, this clear admission of error by the refereeing chief is a rare, refreshing, and frankly, somewhat alarming, moment of clarity.
The Orban Elbow and Tudor`s Tone: A Call for Decorum
Next on Rocchi`s agenda was the unpunished elbow incident involving Orban and Gatti. While VAR initially suggested a yellow card might suffice, Rocchi`s view was unequivocal: “In this case, it was correct to give a red card. The player looks at the opponent; it was a red card to be given on the field. VAR and AVAR handled the case too quickly.” This wasn`t merely a technical critique; it led to a broader discussion on coach conduct. Rocchi directly addressed Tudor`s “excessive tones,” even though he conceded Tudor had a point regarding the Orban incident. “I would like correct terms to be used; using excessive tones is not appropriate,” Rocchi urged, pleading for collaboration lest the discourse descend into a “gazzarra” – a chaotic brawl. It seems even in the high-stakes drama of Serie A, a little civility goes a long way, though one might wonder if “civility” and “football coach” belong in the same sentence after a controversial loss.
Napoli-Pisa`s Penalty Conundrum: The “Arm in Support” Rule
The analysis concluded with the Napoli-Pisa match, presenting its own set of penalty puzzles. In one instance, Leris was fouled by De Bruyne in the box – a clear penalty – but the decision was annulled due to a preceding handball by the Pisa player. VAR concluded: “There is a penalty foul, but first also an attacking handball.” Rocchi, however, set the record straight: “The arm in support is never punishable – in attack or defense.” He suggested that VAR and AVAR were “misled by slow-motion,” confirming that while the on-field review was correct in identifying a handball, it *should* have been a penalty for the foul, as the handball was non-punishable. This clarification offers a fascinating glimpse into the fine lines referees must walk, where even VAR can sometimes lead them astray. Regarding a second handball penalty for Beukema, Rocchi confirmed it was correctly awarded, as the arm was “not in a natural position” and “made himself bigger,” aligning with the current interpretation of handball rules.
In conclusion, Rocchi`s candid review highlights the inherent challenges of modern football officiating. While VAR aims to eliminate clear and obvious errors, it often introduces new layers of interpretation and debate. His commitment to suspending officials for disciplinary, rather than solely technical, errors and emphasizing “meritocracy” underscores a continuous effort to refine the craft. But as the controversies mount, one can`t help but feel that for every answer VAR provides, it raises another question, keeping the beautiful game perpetually on the edge of its collective seat.
