Former referee Massimiliano Irrati, speaking on the sidelines of the Ferruccio Salvetti award event, offered his assessment of the refereeing class and the use of VAR during the current season. As reported by RadioFirenzeViola, Irrati stated: “Excellent work has been done on VAR. I am currently involved with FIFA, so I don`t delve into the specifics of individual nations. There has certainly been progress; its precise usage is increasing year by year. It needs to be utilized optimally.”
Regarding adverse reactions to VAR, Irrati commented: “They are physiological reactions, but each federation is free to decide. The structures are in place, but it`s still a young project, it was born 8 years ago. It`s normal that there are some realities where this novelty needs to be fully accepted.”
When asked about the performance of the refereeing class this season, he replied: “From an external perspective, I have positive feedback. There are many young referees who are developing well, thanks in part to Rocchi. Like any generational change, patience is required to reach the same level, especially internationally. There are young individuals who can step into the shoes of prominent referees like Rizzoli, Rocchi, and Orsato.”