VAR Changes In Serie A – Referees To Announce Reasons For Decisions Starting In 2025-26 Season | OneFootball

There will be significant chances to VAR in Serie A starting with the 2025-26, with referees to announce reasons for decisions in real time.

This according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

VAR has been in effect in Serie A for several seasons now. However, it has not been without its problems and controversy.

For example, last season Inter Milan felt that a number of significant decisions went against them.

Perhaps most notably, there was the incident during a match against Roma towards the end of the season.

During the closing stages of that match, with Inter trailing 1-0, defender Yann Bisseck felt that he had been dragged back by Roma counterpart Evan Ndicka inside the penalty area.

Referee Michael Fabbri did not point to the spot, however. Nor did VAR intervene to overturn the decision.

VAR Changes In Serie A – Referees To Explain Decisions In Real Time

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Referee Daniele Doveri looks on during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli – Serie A TIM at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 11, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, there will be changes to the VAR process next season.

Crucially, the referees will explain the reasons for decisions in real time. This could add transparency to the process.

The VAR officials will explain the reasons both to the live audience and to the broadcast audience.

Therefore, controversies should not be intensified by a sense of uncertainty around particularly problematic decisions.

Moreover, reports the Gazzetta, there will be an eight-second rule for goal kicks. Therefore, if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds before taking a goal kick, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the other team.

Lastly, the Gazzetta reports, if a penalty is accidentally scored with a double touch, it will be retaken rather than awarded as a goal kick.