Serie A referees will start announcing VAR decisions live in stadiums and on TV from the next season, aiming to improve transparency and clarity.

The Serie A has announced a significant innovation in its refereeing protocol, with referees set to announce VAR decisions live in stadiums and on television starting from the next season. 

According to Gianluca Rocchi, the referee designator, this move aims to improve communication between referees and the public, making officiating decisions quicker and clearer.

Rocchi emphasized the importance of uniformity in language, stating that a select group of officials will be trained to ensure that decisions are explained in a clear and consistent manner. This will help to reduce confusion and increase transparency, allowing fans to better understand the reasoning behind referees’ decisions.

The concept of referees explaining decisions to the crowd has been explored in other countries, including England and Germany. This concept is already used in the MLS, and fans of European football got used to it during the Club World Cup. 

By adopting a similar approach, Serie A aims to increase trust and understanding between referees, players, and fans. By providing clarity and transparency, referees can help to reduce controversy and improve the overall viewing and understanding of the game.