Chivu: Italy World Cup flops not due to referees | OneFootball

Inter coach Cristian Chivu refuses to discuss referee controversies ahead of a Serie A match against Juventus: ‘If Italy have not played in the last two editions of the World Cup, it’s not because of referees.’

Serie A referees are facing intense scrutiny with several coaches voicing frustration over contentious calls, including some made even after VAR reviews.

What Chivu said about ref controversies in Serie A

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Chivu is certainly not among those blaming the referees, as he stated at a press conference on Friday, on the eve of a Serie A match against Juventus.

“I will only talk about this when I hear a coach apologising because of a favourable referee decision,” Chivu said via FcInter1908.

“There are always complaints when there are errors; it’s normal, but the problem with Italian football is not the referees. If Italy have not played in the last two editions of the World Cup, it’s not because of referees. There’s a lot to improve in many aspects.”