referee

Napoli director Giovanni Manna lashed out on the ‘absurd, embarrassing’ determination to disallow a aim . ‘Why did VAR not intervene?’

The Partenopei had been main 1-0 in Bergamo with the Sam Beukema free header, however extra importantly felt that they had two big alternatives to increase that benefit.

Commercial

First a penalty was awarded for the Isak Hien coming along with Rasmus Hojlund solely to be revoked by a VAR evaluation, then the officers didn’t intervene when a smooth foul was given towards Hojlund on Hien to arrange the Miguel Gutierrez aim.

As an alternative, Atalanta turned it throughout within the remaining half-hour with headers from Mario Pasalic and Lazar Samardzic.

Napoli rage at ‘shameful’ refereeing

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, argues with referee Giovanni Ayroldi through the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)

Commercial

“It’s unattainable to touch upon this. We’ve got the penalty revoked, however after the restart the referee blows the whistle and there’s no contact, no foul, there’s no VAR examine, the aim is disallowed, it’s embarrassing?”

“The place is the foul? The VAR referred to as him on the penalty, why not on this? It’s embarrassing! We attempt to be very nice and sort, we didn’t complain as a result of incidents can steadiness themselves out. We had issues in Turin and Verona, we stated nothing, however that is embarrassing.

“We’re right here difficult for a spot within the Champions League and we see a aim disallowed over nothing.”

SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Referee Daniele Chiffi through the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)

Commercial

The final week has seen a lot controversy over the function of VAR, the protocol for after they can overturn or suggest a evaluation to the referee, and these incidents will solely add to these requires the AIA to make massive modifications.

“There needs to be a mirrored image, as a result of each week a membership finally ends up right here protesting about choices,” continued Manna.

“All we would like is what is correct, what’s ours, however this isn’t proper, and it’s not soccer. It’s shameful, I’ve no extra phrases.”

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach through the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)

Commercial

The 2 incidents involving Hien and Hojlund had been arguably very related, in that not all contact is a penalty, however then how a lot of a ‘clear and apparent error’ does it must be earlier than VAR can step in?

“On the penalty, if the referee provides that after which they name him to say there’s not sufficient contact, then why did VAR not name him for the second too?

“It’s in all probability one thing that solely Chiffi noticed, there isn’t a VAR examine. It’s absurd. Unbelievable. It’s already a tricky season for us, we come to Bergamo on this situation, and we see a superbly good aim disallowed. It’s paradoxical.”

The one suggestion for that ‘foul’ may be that Hojlund had maintain of Hien’s arm beneath his elbow and pulled him down, however even then it appears unlikely the referee noticed that.

Commercial

Another choice may be that the linesman beneficial the foul to the referee on the touchline, however both means, the VAR examine was terribly quick earlier than play resumed.

CREMONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring the 0-1 aim through the Serie A match between US Cremonese and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giovanni Zini on December 28, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photograph by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Photos)

“I assumed from the stands that the ball had gone out of play, as a result of there’s nothing else there. If something, Hien is hanging off Hojlund.

“If there’s nothing there, it’s not about being subjective or goal. We don’t like being made to seem like idiots. We work exhausting, we wrestle, and this isn’t acceptable.”

Commercial

The very fact stays that this outcome utterly shakes up the struggle for a Champions League spot, as a result of Napoli are actually solely 5 factors away from Como and Atalanta in sixth and seventh, and threat being caught by Roma this night in third.