Aleandro Di Paolo, the man in charge of VAR in Milan’s game against Lazio, will be suspended by AIA after ordering an on-field review for a non-punishable handball.
For about 95 minutes, the game between Milan and Lazio was a rather dull one, with both sides struggling to create chances. Indeed, Rafael Leao’s goal in the 62nd minute looked like it was going to be enough, then drama entered the frame.
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In the final minute of stoppage time, the former Milan player Alessio Romagnoli fired a shot towards goal, which was blocked by Strahinja Pavlovic. The ball touched the Serbian’s elbow and after a few minutes, the referee was called out to do an on-field review.
Suspension awaits Di Paolo
However, as reported by Corriere della Sera this afternoon (via MilanNews), the VAR referee Aleandro Di Paolo never should have ordered the on-field review in the first place. Indeed, the AIA top brass (Italian Referees Association) believes Pavlovic’s handball wasn’t punishable and certainly didn’t warrant a penalty.
Subsequently, the fact that Di Paolo ordered an on-field review almost resulted in the head referee, Giuseppe Collu, making an incorrect decision. As we all know, the whole purpose of having VAR is to ensure the referee makes the right decision, not the opposite.
Per the newspaper, given how serious the error was, Di Paolo will now be sidelined by AIA for at least one matchday. It will likely be more, and when he returns, he won’t do so as the main referee in charge of VAR.
All this is stated like it’s factual… all it really shows is the chaos that exists throughout refereeing and no-one being completely clear on it. Let’s be honest, I didn’t think it was a penalty but 50 things I don’t think are penalties are given each season. Sometimes Milan benefit, other times we lose out, but the infuriating thing is that it doesn’t surprise you either way. And there’s no need to waste 10 minutes and incur two red cards when the on field decision is fine in the first place. The game shouldn’t be being decided by these huge penalties given from minute situations that likely wouldn’t result in a goal anyway.
This poor officiating has cost us points already this season and we are not halfway point through it, I can think of only 2 games that officiating has been okay this season, all other games have been poorly officiated.
💯💯
Like I have been saying, the management needs to take the Real Madrid approach and write fifa for malicious officiating. If maybe penalty was given and we lost two points, what will be the value of this decision, and to think of it, the useless decision cost us out coach, will they reverse the red card. Report.
Pls FIGC sack Rocchi now he is destroying serie a by making every little dive being a free kick or pen. And the player utilize this and dive when there is any contact and they get a free kick. Also VAR how tf is there basically every matchday an outrageous desicion that happens like once a month in the prem. This is a serious problem and stopes the games to much and the serie a have after 13 matchdags 10+ pens that was diving. This for me is one of the main problems of the serie a and it’s unwatchable. F*ck rocchi and Forza Milan
Even with VAR, human error is still impacting outcomes. I’m struggling to understand how often they get things wrong in Italy.
VAR OR WHAT IS EVER THAT IS NOT MAIN THING
THE TEAM PLAY WITH 10 players all games
Ghandouzi useless i do not know how come they don’t notice might score last week but believe me the main problem in the team this guy i do not know if Sunderland serious wants him if i was lottito i will sell even for 500k
Not millions the middle really empty no effective passes no header always mistakes or pass ball back no corrner or strong on fighting ball back try only one game with basic belhyane and vacino and see the difference i think Sarri has nothing to do with improving the team
How about instate retraining for all referees? Improve standards? The play should have never been reviewed as it was definitely NOT a penalty because of the prior foul