Napoli Coach Rages in Serie A Title Race Vs Inter Milan: ‘I Was The First One To Attack VAR – Where Was All The Support Then?’ | OneFootball

Napoli coach Antonio Conte feels that he was critical of VAR before the the current wave, but that he didn’t receive support in his grievances.

The Partenopei boss raged in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A clash with Lazio, as reported by FCInterNews. He argued that there is a double standard now that the criticism of VAR has grown louder.

VAR has been in the spotlight in Italian football in recent weeks.

The crux of the criticism that the technology has received has been that it is inconsistent in its application.

In particular, there was the recent match between Inter Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro.

That match saw Inter score an opener from a corner when replays showed that the ball had clearly not stayed in play and should have gone out for a goal kick.

However, VAR had no scope to intervene in that situation, so the corner was given wrongly.

Then, Fiorentina received a penalty for a Matteo Darmian handball right at the end of the first half.

However, the decision seemed a harsh one. And Inter coach Simone Inzaghi hit out after the match, noting that VAR has not intervened to give the Nerazzurri several very plausible penalties in recent weeks.

Antonio Conte: “I Was The First To Attack VAR – Where Was The Support Then?”

This is, of course, not the first time that VAR has been under fire in Italian football.

And one of the big flashpoints for the controversy came earlier this season. And it was also in a match involving Inter at the San Siro.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri received a second half penalty during the second half of their Serie A clash with Napoli.

On replay, it appeared that the contact on Nerazzurri wingback Denzel Dumfries in the box was quite limited.

However, the VAR did not intervene. The on-pitch referee’s decision.

And in the aftermath of that match, Napoli coach Antonio Conte was absolutely livid.

And the former Inter, Chelsea, and Juventus coach remains as bitter as ever.

“I’ve already said what I have to say about VAR,” Conte made clear in a press conference. “In fact, I was even harshly attacked when I spoke.”

“But I was the first to do it,” proclaimed the Napoli coach.

“I was speaking for the coaches,” Conte said. “But then I saw people come out and say, he’s only speaking for himself.”

“But now everyone else is also talking about the subject and complaining.”

“Maybe it was right that it was about all of us,” Antonio Conte fumed. “Not just a discussion about myself.”

“I don’t want to go back to certain discussions,” added the Napoli coach. “It would be stupid. I’ve said what I have to say.”

“It makes me smile to see how many people taking the same line as me when they’re personally affected. Even some in the media took sides when certain teams were affected.”

“But when I spoke I didn’t see all this support,” Conte complained. “That makes you understand the double standard when you’re at Napoli.”