Rocchi ‘not satisfied’ with refereeing, open to VAR Challenge | OneFootball

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi is open to the suggestion of introducing a VAR Challenge for coaches and admits he is ‘not satisfied’ with the officiating in Serie A this weekend.

The controversy rolls on after a weekend with many penalties awarded and different interpretations of fouls, particularly when it comes to Italian referees and their European counterparts.

“Our plan would be to have VAR operatives who are specialised, because we noticed they have a slightly different philosophy. Separation is fundamental, so if we work with a small group, then the interpretations won’t be so varied,” said Rocchi at a FIGC event.

“Even if they are often criticised, our VAR officials are very much appreciated and we receive regular offers for them to work abroad. That proves we’re doing a good job.”

Rocchi open to new VAR options

Serie A was the first major league to introduce the Video Assistant Referee and at the forefront of new developments, so Federation President Gabriele Gravina asked FIFA to begin experimenting a VAR Challenge.

This would be similar to tennis, giving each coach a set number of challenges he can request for VAR to evaluate, losing them if they prove incorrect.

“I cannot say too much about that, because it is already being discussed by IFAB,” responded Rocchi.

“As for the challenge, that is an alternative solution, or rather it could become a complementary solution for top level football. The objective ultimately is to make the right decisions.

“The experiment we did was a tournament with very few cameras, but with more we could have the double solution of regular VAR and the Challenge version.”

Rocchi was asked if he was satisfied with the officiating in the Serie A Week 7 fixtures and his response was as damning as it was brief. “No.”

Among the contentious decisions there were differing interpretations of similar incidents, such as straight red cards and penalties, with Milan coach Paulo Fonseca complaining that modern football was becoming a “circus” and fingertip grazes leading to spot-kicks.

“We have 46 referees, so either you put a microchip in them all or they all have their own minds and philosophies. The objective is to have a common approach and the ideal would be 100 per cent agreement, but that is practically impossible with human beings. Even when the rules are written very clearly, there will always be room for interpretation.”