Marotta aims dig at FIGC about referees as Gravina plans ‘professional’ reform | OneFootball

Tensions between Serie A clubs and referees spilled into the open during the FIGC’s summit in Rome, where Inter president Giuseppe Marotta directly confronted referee chief Gianluca Rocchi.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Marotta interrupted the meeting to ask Rocchi: “What do you need to improve? We’re all here and willing to help.” Rocchi’s reply was telling and aimed partly at FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, sitting nearby.

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Gabriele Gravina president of FIGC during the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I’d need to see referees every week, not once every three weeks. I’d need a staff that follows them constantly – including a psychologist, especially for the VAR.”

FIGC president Gravina plans independent referee body for Italy

Gravina reportedly reiterated his plan to professionalise Italian refereeing, separating Serie A and B officials into an independent body similar to England’s PGMOL.

The aim is to give top referees better support, pay and training structures.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JUNE 4: President Gabriele Gravina of the FIGC looks on during the international Friendly match between Italy and Turkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on June 4, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The meeting also tackled the growing controversies around VAR usage.

Rocchi admitted mistakes had been made, stressing that “the VAR suggests, but the referee decides,” while confirming concerns over a recent drop in decision accuracy, from 90% last season to just 82% this month.