Orsato Restricts VAR to Clear and Obvious Errors
Italian football referees are entering the new season with a clear mandate from leadership: keep the referee at the center of the pitch and restrict video assistant referee intervention strictly to clear and obvious errors. Daniele Orsato, the newly appointed head of the national commission for Serie A and B, outlined this strategic philosophy at the conclusion of the pre-season training camp in Cascia, Perugia.
Mirroring International Directives From UEFA and FIFA
The approach directly mirrors directives established by international governing bodies. According to Orsato, recent global tournaments demonstrate that the official on the pitch must remain the primary decision-maker, with the VAR acting purely as an exceptional safety net rather than an omnipresent reviewer.
“We want the referee to remain the central figure, to make the decisions and the VAR to intervene when it must intervene,” Orsato stated following the Cascia gathering.
A Return to Foundational Officiating Principles
Rather than signaling a dramatic overhaul of Italian officiating, leadership framed the directive as a return to foundational principles. Orsato emphasized that the guidelines align directly with instructions issued by UEFA and FIFA regarding the threshold for technical interference. The emphasis remains on minimizing match disruptions while maintaining uniform standards across Italy’s top two professional divisions.
Cascia Training Camp Sets Operational Checkpoint
The pre-season camp in Cascia served as the primary operational checkpoint for match officials preparing for the upcoming league calendar.
Upcoming League Fixtures and Preparations
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