- الدوري الإيطالي set to undergo historic change
- Referees to explain VAR decisions in real time
- Changes were implemented at Club كأس العالم
As anticipated following IFAB’s approval, the major change this season will be the on-field announcement of VAR decisions. This development was confirmed during the league’s season presentation conference earlier this week, where Serie A and B referee chief Gianluca Rocchi and Italian Referees Association (AIA) president Antonio Zappi addressed the update.
The new system was previously tested during last season’s كأس إيطاليا semi-finals and final, though no VAR interventions occurred that required its use. It was also implemented during the Club World Cup this summer. Now, the on-field announcement of VAR decisions will become a regular feature in Serie A for the 2025–26 season. إيطاليا, though, won’t be the first country from the top five European nations to implement on-field VAR announcements. In January, during a كأس كاراباو clash between توتنهام و ليفربول, referee Stuart Atwell became the first referee in إنجلترا to explain VAR decisions using stadium announcement.
Speaking at the league presentation conference, Rocchi explained: “The referee will be able to explain the decision made following a VAR intervention directly in the stadium and on TV. This is an important step forward in communication, which we have been working with transparency for years. Now, however, the explanations will be in real time, in front of everyone.
“We will have to be very good at communicating; we will look for uniform words and formulas, but it is clear that there may be slight differences depending on the different referees and different personalities. We will prepare thoroughly, especially from a communication standpoint. We have a select group and we want to standardize the language and content to be clear with the public. There is no maximum time for on-field announcements, because each referee has his own style, language, and reaction times. We still have to work to standardize the content of the explanations, but we will not set rigid limits: the quality of communication will count above all.
“The best referees are those who make decisions on the pitch, regardless of VAR. We will reward those who have the courage and clarity to take responsibility without leaving everything to technology. Technology must be used well and at the right time, but it must not relieve match officials of their responsibility. We will continue to emphasize this aspect, especially with the younger ones.”
These changes can be seen in action as early as August 23, when the 2025-26 season of Serie A kicks off.
