Referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni says officials “wanted technology introduced years ago. How many times in my career did I want VAR?”
Although some refs have shown resistance towards the new video assistant referee process, Mazzoleni assures it’s inevitable progress.
“VAR was already being worked on last year behind closed doors and this season in the open. I think Italian referees ensured they were ready and the change can be useful to avoid controversy,” he told RMC Sport.
Referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni says officials “wanted technology introduced years ago. How many times in my career did I want VAR?”
Although some refs have shown resistance towards the new video assistant referee process, Mazzoleni assures it’s inevitable progress.
“VAR was already being worked on last year behind closed doors and this season in the open. I think Italian referees ensured they were ready and the change can be useful to avoid controversy,” he told RMC Sport.
“There is a lot we can improve on, but how many times in my career did I want VAR? We started this year, we must and can improve.
“It’s still the referee who makes the decisions. In exasperated situations, the human eye can make a mistake, but he still has a safety net now. That’s nothing to be sniffed at.
“Players have helped us and understood the change. It’s a project wanted not only by the referees, but by everyone to make football better.”
Nonetheless, some decisions even using VAR have still caused controversy in Serie A this season, so is the next step allowing referees to speak to the media after games?
“Referees have nothing against speaking. Personally, I wouldn’t do it straight after a game, as the adrenaline is still pumping. If it helps avoid controversy, then referees have no issue with talking when the situation has calmed down.”
There are also calls for the VAR footage to be transmitted inside the stadium, just as it is on television.
“I say that I’d have loved to have VAR many times in my career, as it seemed shocking that the whole world except the referee could see there was a clear error. I am very happy to see my own error, or something anomalous that happens during the game, viewed again.”