New handball rule is straining VAR system in Serie A

Posted November 20, 2019 6:00 am

By ANDREW DAMPF

FILE - In this file photo taken on Oct. 6, 2019, Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic argues with referee Gianluca Rocchi during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Juventus, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. Nicola Rizzoli, who handles the Italian league's refereeing appointments and technical matters, said at a heated meeting among Serie A stakeholders that constant checks for involuntary handballs are putting too much strain on the video review system. In 119 Serie A matches through 12 rounds this season there have been 790 incidents checked by the VAR, which translates to 6.6 checks per match. That's up from 657 checks and 5.4 per match at this point last season. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - A recent modification by soccer's rule-making panel is the culprit behind a significant increase in VAR dependence - and controversy - in Serie A this season, according to Italy's refereeing director.

Nicola Rizzoli, who officiated the 2014 World Cup final and now handles the Italian league's refereeing appointments and technical matters, said at a heated meeting among Serie A stakeholders that constant checks for involuntary handballs is putting too much strain on the video review system.

In 119 Serie A matches through 12 rounds this season there have been 790 incidents checked by the VAR, which translates to 6.6 checks per match. That's up from 657 checks and 5.4 per match at this point last season.

Perhaps more alarming is that the instances in which VAR has corrected a referee's decision on the field have doubled from last season - from 24 to 48.

'œIt means we're not refereeing well,'ť Rizzoli said. 'œBut also that the rules have changed.'ť

At Tuesday's refereeing summit attended by all 20 Serie A clubs, Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said VAR dependence was spiraling out of control.

'œWho is refereeing the games?'ť Ancelotti said. 'œAt times I get the impression that some games are being decided by the VAR.'ť

While Rizzoli replied to Ancelotti by saying that 'œthe referee is always at the center of the decision-making process,'ť the new rules mean that referees no longer have to consider intent on handballs. But nearly any sort of touching above the shoulders or by making the body 'œunnaturally bigger'ť is a foul.

Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has been at the center of the controversy.

The Netherlands international conceded penalties to Inter Milan and Lecce with handballs this season but appeared to get away with another handball during a derby with Torino.

Rizzoli used a slide of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawing to illustrate the complexities of the rule.

'œThe handball is one of the most challenging situations the referees have to judge,'ť Rizzoli told The Associated Press after the meeting, adding that the IFAB rules panel should consider 'œadjustments'ť after this season.

'œThe intention of the player, the touch with the arm, the position of the arm - everything. And the dynamic also of the situation,'ť Rizzoli added. 'œWe have to think (about) a lot of things.'ť

CAPTAINS COMMUNICATION

The increase in VAR checks have resulted in an increase in angry player protests.

Rizzoli appealed to teams to curtail the protests and reminded them to make sure only the captain addresses the referee.

'œIf the captain comes we are obliged to offer an explanation,'ť Rizzoli said. 'œEverything we can do better in terms of communication with the captain instead of a lot of players that surround the referee.

'œThe rulers of the game have to think about giving more power to the captain in terms of collaboration with the referee.'ť

CONTROL ROOM

The Italian soccer federation is building a VAR control center at its Coverciano training center in Florence, from which all matches can be handled starting next season.

The central VAR room - as opposed to the current system of trucks parked outside of stadiums - would enable refereeing heads to meet with media immediately after games to explain their choices.

'œIt's like a university for the referees,'ť Rizzoli said. 'œThis is the future, because after that we can speak with the media immediately, we can teach the referee and have an immediate feedback altogether. So this is something that can improve the technique of VAR.'ť

FIFA used a VAR center at the 2018 World Cup and the Premier League has followed suit with its introduction of VAR this season.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndrewDampf

FILE -- In this file photo taken on Nov. 11, 2018, referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni, center checks the VAR during a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Juventus, at Milan's San Siro stadium. Nicola Rizzoli, who handles the Italian league's refereeing appointments and technical matters, said at a heated meeting among Serie A stakeholders that constant checks for involuntary handballs are putting too much strain on the video review system. In 119 Serie A matches through 12 rounds this season there have been 790 incidents checked by the VAR, which translates to 6.6 checks per match. That's up from 657 checks and 5.4 per match at this point last season. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

Referee Marco Guida shows a red card to Brescia's Ales Mateju, left, during the Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Torino at the Mario Rigamonti Stadium in Brescia, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (Filippo Venezia/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

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