DAZN has released the VAR audio from Domenico Berardi’s foul against Juventus’ Gleison Bremer, explaining that the Italian winger didn’t deserve a straight red card as he didn’t go full studs to the defender’s leg.
Juventus players appealed for a red card for Berardi in their 4-2 loss at the Mapei Stadium on Saturday, September 23.
The conversation between VAR officials and referee Andrea Colombo was released by DAZN on Monday in the presence of referee designator Gianluca Rocchi.
Referee Colombo immediately tried to calm down Juventus players saying: “We look at everything, no worries. We are checking now.”
VAR officials, led by Michael Fabbri, initially seemed shocked when they saw the first replay and reacted by saying: “Uh, damn!”
However, after watching the incident multiple times in slow motion and from different angles, they agreed that Berardi’s foul was not worthy of a VAR check and a potential straight red card.
They acknowledge that the ‘point of impact’ was potentially harmful to Bremer, but thought Berardi hit the Brazilian defender with the side of his foot.
“It’s bad, but it didn’t go full studs. I’ll confirm that,” said Fabbri, informing Colombo that a yellow card was enough.
A VAR official added: “If you just show him the point of impact, he’ll make a mistake.”
Berardi played the following Serie A game against Inter and was instrumental to Sassuolo’s 2-1 win at San Siro with a goal and an assist.