Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi admits he got ‘angry seeing my officials mistreated’ by players, coaches, fans and media.
There have only been three rounds of the new Serie A season, but already a great deal of controversy around several decisions from the referees and VARs.
“Our referees must have strength,” Rocchi told news agency ANSA.
“Over the last few days I got angry because I saw my officials mistreated. I know how hard they work, I know that they give blood for this sport.
“They can make mistakes, I made them too, but we must be allowed the right to make mistakes and still be respected.”
During the break for international duty, Rocchi held a meeting between most of the Serie A coaches and the referees, with the aim of encouraging greater transparency and understanding of why certain decisions and interpretations are made.
“The meeting was wonderful. Anyone, from the amateur divisions to Serie A, wants to see a referee with strength, decisiveness and intellectual honesty. If we have this, then we lack nothing.”
The referee’s association (AIA) confessed the official and VAR had made a ‘serious error’ when not awarding a penalty to Bologna in the 1-1 draw against Juventus.