Rocchi admits VAR mistakes and issues warning over simulation | OneFootball

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi admits VAR ‘made some avoidable mistakes and must not try to replace the referee,’ but also hits out at Serie A players for bad habits.

The man in charge of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) used the opportunity of the break for international duty to take a look at the general state of refereeing in Serie A so far this season.

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 )

“We made a few too many errors with VAR, there were some avoidable mistakes and we need to work on that, because the VAR must not try to replace the referee,” Rocchi told Sky Sport Italia.

“The referee is the one who makes the final decision on the pitch. We’ve got to use VAR in the right way. The positive thing is that a young group of officials is growing and improving with some great performances.”

Rocchi acknowledges difference in refereeing styles

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus is challenged by Francisco Trincao of Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

Some of Italy’s struggles at international level and with their clubs in the Champions League have been put down to the lack of tempo in Serie A compared to these tournaments.

That was also blamed on the referees, who blow the whistle too often for the slightest contact and give soft penalty kicks, slowing down the flow of the match.

However Rocchi acknowledges the problem while also turning it back onto the players themselves.

“There is a difference between the Champions League and Serie A,” confirms Rocchi.

“The quality of football is superior, there are games that are more enjoyable to officiate too. When a game is fluid and quick, the referee makes a better impression too. However, the tempo and number of fouls is dictated by the players, not the referees.

“It is also not true that more fouls means less playing time, as Roma-Inter had 47 fouls and 55 minutes of time with the ball in motion, which is above average. We do need to speed up resuming play after free kicks, and the referees can help in that too.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Gianluca Rocchi during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

When it comes to bad behaviour, though, Rocchi lashes out at Serie A players for not helping themselves or others.

“I asked players not to accentuate situations where they get struck in the face, because referees clamp down on these incidents purely to protect players from being hit with an arm or elbow. But if that rule is used to get their colleagues booked, it becomes a boomerang effect that spreads. You mustn’t try to get opponents booked for something that didn’t happen.

“Simulation must not be tolerated by anyone who loves this sport. You are not just conning the referee, you are ripping off the whole football system. If a referee can make a mistake, then I’d rather players were more collaborative and not trying to lead them astray. I prefer prevention to cure,” concluded Rocchi.