admits

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi admits VAR ‘made some avoidable errors and should not attempt to change the referee,’ but in addition hits out at Serie A gamers for unhealthy habits.

The person in control of the Italian Referees’ Affiliation (AIA) used the chance of the break for worldwide responsibility to try the in Serie A thus far this season.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Gianluca Rocchi and Daniele Orsato obtain the AIC Oscar del Calcio Awards on December 04, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Pictures )

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“We made just a few too many errors with VAR, there have been some avoidable errors and we have to work on that, as a result of the VAR should not attempt to change the referee,”

“The referee is the one who makes the ultimate choice on the pitch. We’ve acquired to make use of VAR in the suitable means. The optimistic factor is {that a} younger group of officers is rising and bettering with some nice performances.”

Rocchi acknowledges distinction in refereeing types

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus is challenged by Francisco Trincao of Sporting CP throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Stefano Guidi/Getty Pictures)

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A few of Italy’s struggles at worldwide degree and with their golf equipment within the Champions League have been put all the way down to the in comparison with these tournaments.

That was additionally blamed on the referees, who blow the whistle too typically for the slightest contact and provides delicate penalty kicks, slowing down the stream of the match.

Nonetheless Rocchi acknowledges the issue whereas additionally turning it again onto the gamers themselves.

“There’s a distinction between the Champions League and Serie A,” confirms Rocchi.

“The standard of soccer is superior, there are video games which might be extra gratifying to officiate too. When a sport is fluid and fast, the referee makes a greater impression too. Nonetheless, the tempo and variety of fouls is dictated by the gamers, not the referees.

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“Additionally it is not true that extra fouls means much less taking part in time, as Roma-Inter had 47 fouls and 55 minutes of time with the ball in movement, which is above common. We do want to hurry up resuming play after free kicks, and the referees may also help in that too.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Gianluca Rocchi throughout the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photograph by Catherine Ivill/Getty Pictures)

In terms of unhealthy behaviour, although, Rocchi lashes out at Serie A gamers for not serving to themselves or others.

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“I requested gamers to not intensify conditions the place they get struck within the face, as a result of referees clamp down on these incidents purely to guard gamers from being hit with an arm or elbow. But when that rule is used to get their colleagues booked, it turns into a boomerang impact that spreads. You mustn’t attempt to get opponents booked for one thing that didn’t occur.

“Simulation should not be tolerated by anybody who loves this sport. You aren’t simply conning the referee, you’re ripping off the entire soccer system. If a referee could make a mistake, then I’d relatively gamers had been extra collaborative and never attempting to guide them astray. I choose prevention to treatment,” concluded Rocchi.