Allegri wants more clarity in the future for the use of VAR
The use of video replays by referees in Serie A has led to more controversies, according to Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.
However, he said this was partly because Italians enjoy controversies and suggested that, in principle, the video replay system (VAR) was a good idea.
Juventus, second in the table, won 1-0 at Cagliari on Saturday but the Sardinians were angry over two decisions.
They claimed that the move leading up to Federico Bernardeschi’s 74th-minute goal should have been stopped after Leonardo Pavoletti was elbowed by Medhi Benatia, but the referee allowed the goal to stand without consulting the VAR.
Shortly afterwards, Cagliari demanded a penalty for handball by Bernardeschi when the ball hit his outstretched arm.
The referee turned down their appeals without watching the video replay himself, although Italian media said he was given advice by the video assistant via his earpiece.
“The VAR was introduced to reduce controversies and instead they have increased, possibly because we Italians like to stoke them,” Allegri said.
“We look for controversies instead of analysing the match. Cagliari played a really good game and didn’t deserve to lose.
“This is obviously the first year VAR has been put into use and next season we will have more clarity.”
“The referees are doing really well and will learn how to use it for the most eye-catching incidents. For example, it’s fundamental in judging offsides.
“In every match, there a difficult decisions, sometimes they go in your favour and sometimes against. You need to be able to accept them.”
Serie A is one of several competitions around the world where the VAR system is being used on a trial basis.
Football’s law-making body IFAB is due to decide in March whether to ratify its use on a permanent basis and, depending on the decision, Fifa are hoping to use it at this year’s World Cup in Russia.
In a separate issue, Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi said he was the subject of racial abuse during their win at Cagliari on Saturday, days after fellow Serie A side Verona were reprimanded after their supporters directed similar abuse towards the Frenchman.
Verona were handed a fine and a suspended partial stadium ban after supporters racially abused the 30-year-old following his opening goal during Juventus’s 3-1 away win on December 30.
“Today I experienced racism during the match. Weak people try to intimidate with hate,” Matuidi wrote on his official Facebook account after Saturday’s game.
“I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples.
“Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace.”
Matuidi, who has 62 caps for France, joined Juventus before the start of the current season and has scored twice for the Italian champions.
Matuidi’s teammate Paulo Dybala could be out for over a month after picking up a thigh injury in the Cagliari victory.
Juventus confirmed the injury yesterday and revealed he had suffered a “light-medium” injury to his right thigh, and said that how long he would have to spend on the sidelines would become clear in the coming days.
Allergri said of the situation: “We go into a two-week break now and he’ll [Dybala] obviously need to rest more than the others during that time.”