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Journalist Mediaset Riccardo Trevisani commented on the Serie A refereeing during Terzo Tempo Calcio Napoli, highlighting some key incidents.

The Mediaset commentator Riccardo Trevisani intervened during the show Terzo Tempo Calcio Napoli aired on Televomero. The journalist revisited the penalty incident in the Inter-Napoli match and, more broadly, the refereeing in Serie A.

Serie A, Riccardo Trevisani’s Commentary

Trevisani starts with the controversies surrounding the VAR system: “The post-match was heavily dominated by controversies over the VAR. In November 2019, Ancelotti said ‘Enough with VAR, the referees on the field should make the decisions’. Today Conte says ‘Enough with the referees, VAR should make the calls’.”

“Poor Referees” in Serie A

The reality is that we have poor referees on the field and poor VAR officials. If we allow discussions on every decision, we will never end. For me, the contact on Çalhanoğlu is definitely not a penalty, even less so than the one on Politano in Empoli. Every time we enter a debate where, out of a hundred people, seventy think one way and thirty another.”

On the penalty awarded in Inter-Napoli

“From Mariani’s position, it may seem that Dumfries was fouled, hence the penalty. The problem is that the VAR clearly sees that it was not a foul, but it cannot intervene. When players like Dumfries dive, for referees who are not at Collina‘s level, the management becomes very complicated.

No other league would award a penalty like that, except Serie A. It is disappointing to see that the protocol is not being followed. Even for the AIA and UEFA, it is difficult, but the bitterness remains because a big match could have been decided by this incident. Mariani refereed very well for 90 minutes, yet he will only be remembered for that mistake. It is a shame that the mark remains, even though mistakes can happen and VAR does not help; it’s a vicious circle. It makes you reflect when the refereeing designator asks every week to limit easy penalties, but there is always one every week.”

On the Serie A championship and Napoli-Roma

Thus Trevisani: “It seems more like the Premier League than Serie A, with very interesting matches and direct clashes between the top teams. If Juric were still on the Roma bench, it would have been an easier task for Napoli. But the change of coach, with an experienced manager like Ranieri, definitely brings a positive shake-up. That’s why the Giallorossi will be a tougher opponent than one might have thought a week ago.”

On Meret

“Meret has improved a lot in recent years and has played good games, but in my opinion, he made mistakes on both Lookman’s goal and Çalhanoğlu’s goal”.