‘Two VAR mistakes in Inter-Parma’

Referees chief Marcello Nicchi claims Gianluca Manganiello was guility of ignoring VAR protocol twice during Inter’s 1-0 defeat to Parma on Saturday.

Inter were furious after Federico Dimarco’s elbowed block on an Ivan Perisic shot went unpunished, while Manganiello did not consult the VAR for Roberto Gagliardini’s two-footed lunge in the opening stages.

Referees chief Marcello Nicchi claims Gianluca Manganiello was guility of ignoring VAR protocol twice during Inter’s 1-0 defeat to Parma on Saturday.

Inter were furious after Federico Dimarco’s elbowed block on an Ivan Perisic shot went unpunished, while Manganiello did not consult the VAR for Roberto Gagliardini’s two-footed lunge in the opening stages.

“Using VAR more? There is a clear protocol, and nothing has changed since last year,” Nicchi told ANSA.

“If the referees follow it then fine, but if they’re wrong then not following it is a mistake.

“VAR has clear guidance on how it’s used, and unfortunately it doesn’t erase every mistake.

“The video assistant, on this occasion, made two mistakes by going to review as per protocol.

“Video support should’ve been used when the ball touched Dimarco’s hand in the box and then on a foul by Gagliardini, which unfortunately the referee didn’t see.

“It could’ve been punished with yellow or red card, but the VAR had to call it.”

These incidents could've been decisive. Gagliardini's foul came in the opening minutes of the game, while it was still 0-0 when Dimarco cleared the ball off the line – and he later scored the winning goal.