In an interview with Elf Voetbal in his native Netherlands, Fiorentina defender Kevin Diks has called for VAR to not be exaggerated like he feels it is in American Football following the controversial VAR decision that awarded Inter a penalty in Tuesday night’s victory over La Viola.

“I think the touch of the hand was quite questionable. VAR came into action but for me it was not a penalty kick but if the referee decides without doubts that it is, you just have to keep playing,” he said.

“Obviously VAR is fine when, for example, a violent act is committed but we should not exaggerate its use. I watch NFL [American Football’s biggest league] and their equivalent to VAR intervenes too often, in this way the sport becomes less and less a contact sport and in my opinion this should not be what VAR is used for. Football must remain a contact sport, and with VAR often taking too long, it also causes greater pressure from the public.”