Benevento President Oreste Vigorito made very strong accusations against VAR Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni, accusing officials of ‘trying to kill’ the centre-south clubs.
Le Streghe were beaten 3-1 at home by Cagliari this afternoon, a result that could well doom them to relegation back into Serie B.
There was a controversial incident when it was still 2-1, as Benevento were awarded a penalty for Kwadwo Asamoah’s challenge on Nicolas Viola.
Benevento President Oreste Vigorito made very strong accusations against VAR Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni, accusing officials of ‘trying to kill’ the centre-south clubs.
Le Streghe were beaten 3-1 at home by Cagliari this afternoon, a result that could well doom them to relegation back into Serie B.
There was a controversial incident when it was still 2-1, as Benevento were awarded a penalty for Kwadwo Asamoah’s challenge on Nicolas Viola.
It was then revoked after the referee Daniele Doveri saw it again on VAR, ruling that Viola had looked for the contact.
“With all the technology at your disposal and the media pull that you have, you need to stop talking about other things and show these images to all of Italy,” blasted President Vigorito on Sky Sport Italia.
“I have never talked about referees, but I received messages from Naples and others who told me they send Mazzoleni as the VAR when they want to kill the centre-south clubs.
“We may as well remove VAR, because it’s just an extra excuse for their usual rubbish. We are losing a year of sacrifices and hard work, while he sits with his butt on a bench watching TV and changing decisions. It is shameful!”
Vigorito repeatedly said he was happy to take responsibility for his statements and be sued if necessary as he continued to blame Mazzoleni for “not even knowing how to look at a TV properly. All of Italy say, except for Mr Mazzoleni.”
The intervention of the VAR was certainly unusual, as it should step in only if there is a clear and obvious error.
Here, there was certainly contact between Viola and Asamoah, but the VAR and referee judged it to be not particularly strong or with Viola moving towards him.