Controversy and unpleasant issues have been unfolding since the introduction of the VAR technology in the Italian football scene.
The most recent controversy hitting Italian football comes as a record high of unpleasant stories have been making the news relating to the new VAR technology.
Marcello Nicchi, President of the Italian Referees Association reported that three top-ranking officials of the Italian Referee Association have received parcels that are filled with bullets threats against VAR influenced decisions.
In his report, Nicchi claimed that he, Vice-President Narciso Pisacreta and Nicola Rizzoli, Italian referee selector who officiated the final match of Brazil 2014 all received the parcel through the mail.
VAR technology was introduced in Italian Serie A at the beginning of this season and have since been prompting mixed reactions from football fans and stakeholders alike.
In March, an estimated 1,000 Lazio fans showed up outside the office of the Italian football federation to protest VAR influenced decisions.
In January, AC Milan were handed a vital goal that saw them beat Lazio 2-1 after the technology failed to spot the ball come off the arm of Patrick Cutrone right before he scored.
In December, a group of Biancocelesti supporters that were aggrieved with perceived errors in VAR influenced decisions of match officials Piero Giacomelli and Marco Di Bello in their team’s 3-1 loss to Torino and initiated legal actions against them.
In the opening few minutes of the goalless draw with Inter Milan, Lazio was rewarded a penalty that was eventually revoked by VAR as Ciro Immobile’s cross which was seen to have bounced up onto the arm of Milan Skriniar after it had hit his leg was ruled as an involuntary handball.
The Italian referee boss who was displeased with the unfolding events complained on the difficulties that these issues are causing for referees to focus and do their jobs on the pitch like what we see on 918kiss and other platforms
Nicchi also denounced a journalist who suggested that fans “should shoot the referees.” He however reaffirmed that the Italian Police and Interior Ministry are investigating the incidents.
