PISA, ITALY - MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 on March 2, 2026. Refereeing designator Daniele Orsato highlighted the positive impact of this season's changes, aiming to 'favour football' by reducing soft fouls and enhancing the pace of play. This initiative comes after feedback from players and coaches who noted that excessive free kicks had slowed down matches, particularly affecting Italian teams in European competitions.
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On May 12, 2025, during a match between Atalanta and AS Roma, referee Simone Sozza was seen consulting the pitchside VAR monitor, indicating a shift in officiating. Recently, representatives from the Lega Serie A, the Italian Referees’ Association, and the 20 Serie A clubs met at the Lissone VAR hub near Milan to review the first five rounds of the season. While the referees acknowledged some errors, they maintained that VAR would only intervene in cases of clear mistakes or when referees lacked visibility.
Domenico Messina, the refereeing director, emphasized their commitment to enhancing the spectacle of the game without compromising their new approach, which has received support from coaches. Statistics reveal that the average time the ball is in play has increased to 59 minutes and 31 seconds, exceeding last year's figures by over five minutes. The number of fouls per match has decreased to 22.6 from 26.23 and is now lower than the Premier League's average of 23.28.
This season has seen only two penalties awarded compared to nine at the same point last season. Additionally, the average number of yellow cards has dropped from 3.53 to 3.03, with only two red cards issued thus far, a decrease from six in previous seasons. Moreover, VAR interruptions have been notably reduced, with just one On-Field Review occurring compared to multiple reviews in recent seasons. Orsato reaffirmed the objective to minimize disruptions and avoid whistling for minor contacts, stating that these guidelines will be upheld throughout the season.