Rocchi explains VAR controversy after Douglas Luiz incident | OneFootball

Gianluca Rocchi explains whether VAR was right not to intervene for the Douglas Luiz off the ball strike on Patric during the Juventus-Lazio match, as audio of their discussion was released.

The incident caused a great deal of controversy and infuriated Lazio, who felt that the VAR should’ve intervened to send the referee to the monitor for Violent Conduct during their 1-0 defeat.

They above all asked what the VAR had discussed and whether they had seen the footage in question, so it was particularly important to hear the replay of that audio on DAZN’s programme Open VAR.

It was heard on this footage that the referee said there was “a fortuitous contact” between players in the penalty area, at which point the incident was replayed in the VAR booth.

“It’s not that fortuitous,” said the VAR.

However, after viewing it again, they assured the referee there was “not much in it” for the Douglas Luiz push on Patric.

Rocchi evaluates VAR decision on Douglas Luiz

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 02: Douglas Luiz of Brazil warms up prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Brazil and Colombia at Levi’s Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) figure Gianluca Rocchi was a guest on the programme and asked if that was the correct decision in these circumstances.

“It is certainly not fortuitous and we certainly do not like this type of gesture,” explained Rocchi on DAZN.

“If the player had been sent off on the field, we would not have complained. Similarly, there was a situation with the Juventus game with two players going head-to-head and we again decided to stick with the decision made on the field.

“I understand the VAR not intervening, but would also urge the clubs and players to be clear that this is not something to be encouraged. It was more of a push than a punch, but we still don’t like it.

“This gesture was certainly to be condemned and I would not have been scandalised if a red card had been given to Douglas Luiz. However, the evaluation they made was that it needed something more to be a clear and obvious error.”