Former Italian referee Marcello Nicchi discussed the usage of VAR in Italy and refereeing in general at the meeting organised by the Italian football federation in Rome today, with Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb noting his words.
“In the VAR room in Coverciano we can explain what happens over the weekend. We can use websites to communicate critical cases that have happened. The rules are clear, you have to know them, you have to rely on them. To get the referees to talk? If the climate becomes calm and peaceful, why not? When we have the technology available in an environment like the VAR Hall, you can even think about talking.”
He then touched on the meeting as well as a specific case during Napoli’s game against Atalanta earlier this season.
“The meeting? We all work so that football continues on this trend, we try to make as little mistakes as possible and make as few mistakes as possible. As long as we don’t change the rules it’s this. Napoli-Atalanta? What Rizzoli said I don’t have to repeat. We’ve explained everything, we haven’t hidden away, and the contribution of the coaches is also interesting. We need to evaluate the time, the time, for communications: the things that happen are not planned, there are issues and episodes that the arbitration committee must also review and examine to understand what has been done well or badly.”
Finally, Nicchi spoke about Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti’s view on VAR.
“We share everything that was said at the meeting, those who have experience and knowledge to bring to the international governing bodies do so, we are here to collect ideas and proposals.”
