Italy to follow England and Germany by trialing in-stadium announcements for VAR calls
MILAN (AP) — The Italian league will offer more transparency over video review decisions, including limited in-stadium announcements of the referee's conversations with the VAR.
The league's governing body announced on Monday that it would trial the system in the remaining matches of the Italian Cup, limiting it to the explanation of the decisions taken by the referee after reviewing incidents on a sideline monitor.
It will be the first time such a system is used in Italian soccer although it has already been trialed in England and Germany.
Inter Milan faces city rival AC Milan and Bologna plays Empoli next month in the semifinals, which are held over two legs. The final is on May 14.
Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo said the aim is 'to make the measures taken increasingly transparent and understandable for the players, team managers and all the stakeholders involved, including the public in the stands and viewers.'
Soccer is a relative latecomer to announcements which are widely used in other team sports.
NFL referees were given wireless microphones in 1975 to explain penalty decisions. Major League Baseball began in-park announcements during replay reviews in 2022 and microphones have long-been used by rugby referees.
In-stadium soccer announcements were in place at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and other FIFA events.
The Italian league will also display VAR graphics — already used in television broadcasts — on giant screens in stadiums to inform about possible reviews in progress or of long-lasting VAR checks.
That will be introduced for Serie A fixtures this weekend.
'Lega Serie A wants to continue to invest in innovation, introducing all the new technologies that can enhance the spectacle of our Championship and support the refereeing trio,' De Siervo said. 'In fact, we were the first in the world to introduce VAR.'
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Paris' iconic cauldron from the Olympic Games returns to light up summer nights
PARIS (AP) — A year after it captivated crowds during the Paris Olympics, a centerpiece of the summer Games is making a comeback. The iconic helium-powered balloon that attracted myriads of tourists during the summer Games has shed its Olympic branding and is now just called the 'Paris Cauldron.' It is set to rise again into the air later Saturday, lifting off over the Tuileries Garden. Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the launch, which coincides with France's annual street music festival — the Fete de la Musique, the Paris police prefecture said. And it won't be a one-time event. After Saturday's flight, the balloon will lift off into the sky each summer evening from June 21 to Sept. 14, for the next three years. The cauldron's ascent may become a new rhythm of the Parisian summer, with special flights planned for Bastille Day on July 14 and the anniversary of the 2024 opening ceremony on July 26. Gone is the official 'Olympic' branding — forbidden under IOC reuse rules — but the spectacle remains. The 30-meter (98-foot) -tall floating ring, dreamed up by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and powered by French energy company EDF, simulates flame without fire: LED lights, mist jets and high-pressure fans create a luminous halo that hovers above the city at dusk, visible from rooftops across the capital. Though it stole the show in 2024, the cauldron was only meant to be temporary, not engineered for multi-year outdoor exposure. To transform it into a summer staple, engineers reinforced it. The aluminum ring and tether points were rebuilt with tougher components to handle rain, sun and temperature changes over several seasons. Though it's a hot-air-balloon-style, the lift comes solely from helium — no flame, no burner, just gas and engineering. The structure first dazzled during the Olympics. Over just 40 days, it drew more than 200,000 visitors, according to officials. Now anchored in the center of the drained Tuileries pond, the cauldron's return is part of French President Emmanuel Macron's effort to preserve the Games' spirit in the city, as Paris looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Juventus Make £25m Move for Man Utd Winger
Italian Giants Explore Jadon Sancho Transfer Juventus have stepped up their interest in Jadon Sancho, holding initial discussions over a possible move for the Manchester United winger. The Serie A club have sounded out what a potential deal could look like, as they weigh up a formal approach during the summer transfer window. Advertisement Sancho, 24, remains on the fringes at Old Trafford following his public fallout with Erik ten Hag last season, which saw him exiled from the first team and sent out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January. His time in Germany helped him rediscover some rhythm, but there is currently no pathway for him back into the United setup. Napoli Monitor Situation but Face Financial Hurdles Juventus are not alone in their pursuit. Napoli have also expressed interest in the England international, but any concrete move would likely require Sancho to accept a significant reduction in wages. The forward is currently one of United's top earners, with a salary package that presents a major stumbling block for interested clubs outside the Premier League. Napoli remain in contact with Sancho's representatives, keeping lines open should a compromise over personal terms become viable. However, Juventus are understood to be in a stronger financial position to meet both the player's demands and United's valuation. Manchester United Seek Permanent Solution From United's perspective, the preference is clear: they would rather offload Sancho on a permanent deal than sanction another loan move. The club are believed to be holding out for an offer in the region of £25 million – a fee that reflects both Sancho's age and the diminishing years on his contract, which expires in 2026. Advertisement There is no desire within the United hierarchy to reintegrate Sancho into the first-team squad. Instead, they view this window as a pivotal opportunity to recoup some of their investment, having signed the winger from Dortmund for £73 million in 2021. Player's Future to Be Resolved This Summer As the summer window unfolds, Sancho's future looks increasingly likely to lie away from Old Trafford. Juventus have shown concrete interest and are now in dialogue over financial frameworks and personal terms. United are willing sellers, Juventus are actively exploring the deal, and the player himself is understood to be open to a new challenge. The situation remains fluid, but movement is expected in the coming weeks. With United keen to streamline their squad and Juventus hoping to reinforce their attacking options, Sancho's next destination could well be the Allianz Stadium.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Paris' iconic cauldron from the Olympic Games returns to light up summer nights
PARIS (AP) — A year after it captivated crowds during the Paris Olympics, a centerpiece of the summer Games is making a comeback. The iconic helium-powered balloon that attracted myriads of tourists during the summer Games has shed its Olympic branding and is now just called the 'Paris Cauldron.' It is set to rise again into the air later Saturday, lifting off over the Tuileries Garden. Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the launch, which coincides with France's annual street music festival — the Fete de la Musique, the Paris police prefecture said. And it won't be a one-time event. After Saturday's flight, the balloon will lift off into the sky each summer evening from June 21 to Sept. 14, for the next three years. The cauldron's ascent may become a new rhythm of the Parisian summer, with special flights planned for Bastille Day on July 14 and the anniversary of the 2024 opening ceremony on July 26. Gone is the official 'Olympic' branding — forbidden under IOC reuse rules — but the spectacle remains. The 30-meter (98-foot) -tall floating ring, dreamed up by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and powered by French energy company EDF, simulates flame without fire: LED lights, mist jets and high-pressure fans create a luminous halo that hovers above the city at dusk, visible from rooftops across the capital. Though it stole the show in 2024, the cauldron was only meant to be temporary, not engineered for multi-year outdoor exposure. To transform it into a summer staple, engineers reinforced it. The aluminum ring and tether points were rebuilt with tougher components to handle rain, sun and temperature changes over several seasons. Though it's a hot-air-balloon-style, the lift comes solely from helium — no flame, no burner, just gas and engineering. The structure first dazzled during the Olympics. Over just 40 days, it drew more than 200,000 visitors, according to officials. Now anchored in the center of the drained Tuileries pond, the cauldron's return is part of French President Emmanuel Macron's effort to preserve the Games' spirit in the city, as Paris looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
