Serie A officiating standards face scrutiny from former referee and player

Former referee Claudio Gavillucci and former player Franco Causio have commented on the current officiating standards and the implementation of new refereeing criteria in Serie A, specifically regarding the approach led by Daniele Orsato.

Gavillucci noted that while the speed of play has increased due to rule changes, the primary issue for teams and coaches is the lack of consistency in judgment for similar incidents. He observed that players have adapted to the new standards, noting that staying on the ground after a foul now results in more lost time. He also mentioned that a higher threshold for interventions has improved the relationship with VAR.

Franco Causio emphasized the need for a single, uniform standard of judgment to avoid contradictory decisions. He suggested that VAR should be utilized more aggressively to penalize simulation, specifically targeting players who exaggerate contact to deceive officials. Causio also expressed a preference for the pace and space found in the Premier League, suggesting that Serie A still lacks the necessary speed and tactical rhythm.