Serie A coaches and referees discuss new approach to VAR | OneFootball

Serie A coaches met with referees today to discuss the new approach to VAR and penalties. ‘I’m satisfied because they clarified the parameters for evaluation,’ noted Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti.

It had already been warned before the 2026/27 season kicked off that officials would be focused on making the game flow a lot more than in the past, trying to award fewer free kicks and above all not as many soft penalties.

PISA, ITALY – MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium in Pisa during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Arena Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

VAR would also be much less invasive too, intervening only when there are clear and obvious errors, taking into account the speed and intensity of contact rather than slow-motion replays.

This was discussed in today’s meeting of the Lega Serie A figures including coaches with representatives of the Italian Referees’ Association, spearheaded by new designator Daniele Orsato.

Serie A refereeing is changing

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Juan Luca Sacchi referee of the match shows a yellow card to Jhon Lucumi of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

“This meeting is for an exchange of opinions, of information between clubs, coaches and referees,” noted Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli.

“We already had these encounters online, but are doing it in person now. The aim as always is to have uniformity in evaluation of incidents and clarity on the rules.”

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Gianluca Rocchi and Daniele Orsato receive the AIC Oscar del Calcio Awards on December 04, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images )

The new approach has certainly resulted in far fewer spot-kicks, only five awarded in 50 games, but some have complained the change went too far the other way.

“As with all new things, there are some issues, which we saw with a few decisions. The fact we’ve had five rounds without a single 0-0 draw this season and vastly raised the active playing time is positive for the sport as a spectacle.

“Now we need to look at those areas where we can do better. I always say, strikers miss open goals, goalkeepers make howlers, at times the referees make mistakes too. I like this general approach of refereeing, it just needs to be refined a little bit.”

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gianluca Mancini of Roma reacts during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on September 05, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Among the controversial incidents was the Pierre Kalulu shirt tug on Jonathan Rowe in Juve’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta, where the jersey was visibly pulled inside the penalty area.

Another this weekend saw Torino complain that Torbjorn Heggem appeared to catch Gaetano Oristanio’s boot in their draw at Bologna.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Luciano Spalletti, Manager of Juventus, looks on before the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I am satisfied because they clarified the parameters for evaluation,” Juventus coach Spalletti told reporters leaving the meeting.

“That is fundamental for us to get as close as possible to their directives.”

When asked what he thought of the refereeing in the game with Atalanta, Spalletti smiled. “Don’t be mean…”