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The audio from the discussion between Marco Di Bello and the VAR team during Parma 2-2 AC Milan on Saturday has come to light.
Calciomercato.com relay the findings from Open VAR, a DAZN program that analyses and recounts the various refereeing incidents that occurred during the most recent matchday in Serie A. In the studio, the ex-referee and current designator Gianluca Rocchi gave his take on key events.
Below is the transcript of the discussion between the on-field referee Di Bello and the VAR room after Alexis Saelemaekers went down inside the box in the first half of Parma-Milan, with a penalty awarded at the time.
VAR: “He awarded the penalty. Check in progress.”
Referee: “I think he kicks him, but they’re checking.”
VAR: “So look, he takes it like this… Stop him, slow him down for a moment. He puts his foot on the ground [the AC Milan player]. Let’s see with his right leg behind.”
Referee: “I think he kicks it.”
VAR: “He puts his foot on the ground and we see the contact that is generated, if it is generated by the 56. The boots never touch.”
VAR: “It’s Saelemaekers who’s coming towards him. He’s dragging him. Let’s also give him the last one where you can see that it’s Saelemaekers. Let’s check because I have to show it to you. I recommend an OFR [on-field review] for no penalty.”
VAR: “It’s Saelemaekers who puts his foot on the ground and hits him with his knee. I have two cameras, I’ll show you the foot on the ground and Saelemaekers’ leg as he falls.”
Referee: “It’s the defender who enters his zone.”
VAR: “The leg is already falling and the touch is generated by Saelemaekers.”
Referee: “Give me back the low back. I confirm, the defender never touches the ball.”
VAR: “He didn’t touch the ball.”
Referee: “Okay, I confirm the penalty.”
VAR: “He has to make the announcement, right?”
Referee: “Following a review, Parma’s number 3 player committed a foul worthy of a penalty. Final decision: I uphold the penalty. He never touched the ball and tripped the player.”
Rocchi’s view
Rocchi spoke in the studio, and gave his take as follows: “Let’s start with the decision, which was correct, and Di Bello made an excellent call in this case. His exceptional VAR skills likely allowed for a more relaxed assessment of the images than others might have.
“The penalty is clear, the on-field review was excessive: it shouldn’t have been there and should have been confirmed quickly. However, I prefer one more review than one less because we failed to perform several on-field reviews today.
“Di Bello is the match referee, and the final decision must be made by him. VAR doesn’t referee, it’s an assistant referee, supporting the referee. Ultimately, Di Bello conducted the review in a very calm atmosphere, and the teams deserve commendation.
“If I have to criticise the two VAR referees, I have to say that frame-by-frame is not the right approach. That is, you have to create momentum here, and it’s a clear penalty to be given on the pitch. Then there are more nuanced situations than these where a review doesn’t affect the VAR’s performance. In this case, the VAR’s skill was in upholding the decision.”
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