Fabregas weighs in on refereeing controversies: ‘All coaches in agreement’ | OneFootball

Cesc Fabregas is the latest coach to express his views on the recent refereeing controversies in Serie A, as he feels that there is an issue with VAR and its protocols rather than with the officials themselves.

The 24th round of Serie A fixtures were marred by a handful of refereeing blunders, including the decision to send Fikayo Tomori off in Empoli-Milan for a second bookable offence on a player who was offside, and the decision to award Inter a corner when the ball was out of play, which led to the first goal in an eventual 2-1 win for the Nerazzurri against Fiorentina.

Fiorentina coach Rafaelle Palladino hit out at the VAR protocol after full-time in Inter-Fiorentina on Monday night, while Simone Inzaghi also admitted that the ball had crossed the line, but felt that Inter have also had their fair share of refereeing decisions go against them this season.

Italian Referees’ Association President Antonio Zappi has also recently admitted that he is ‘not satisfied’ with the way that the current VAR protocol has been implemented.

Fabregas weighs in on Serie A referees: ‘Problem not the refs, but with VAR’

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como, looks on prior to kick-off ahead of the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Como at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Fabregas, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Como’s game against Fiorentina, also admitted that he has not been pleased with the VAR protocol in Serie A.

“I always try to not talk about the referees, I respect their work a lot, and I know how difficult it is,” Fabregas began, reported via Calciomercato.com.

“I say what I say because of at least five incidents in a row that went against us. Seeing the protests of all the other coaches, I also queued up. I wanted to raise my voice a bit, I hope it’s the last time I do it, even though I think that’s impossible.

“I think the problem is not the referee, but how the VAR intervenes. There are too many similar incidents interpreted differently. I often talk to the other coaches after games, and I can say that we are all more or less in agreement.”