Alfredo Trentalange, the new head of the Italian Referees’ Association, assures ‘no referee has ever been against the use of technology’ and VAR simply needs time.
Although in Italy the use of Video Assistant Referee interventions are welcomed and even encouraged more often, in the Premier League there is still a great deal of resistance.
Alfredo Trentalange, the new head of the Italian Referees’ Association, assures ‘no referee has ever been against the use of technology’ and VAR simply needs time.
Although in Italy the use of Video Assistant Referee interventions are welcomed and even encouraged more often, in the Premier League there is still a great deal of resistance.
“It takes time to absorb changes, as VAR is relatively new technology, but no referee wants to end the game and realise he affected the result with a mistake,” AIA President Trentalange told Famiglia Cristiana magazine.
“I started refereeing in 1973 and I have never met a referee who was against the use of technology. There were some who claimed over the years that we were the ones opposed to the introduction of goal-line technology: that is absolute rubbish.
“However, if referees never talk and do not give insight on how decisions are made, someone else will try to fill the gap.”
This is why Trentalange has opened up the doors and allowed current referees to speak to the media, discussing their decisions and even errors.