Statistics show Serie A referees and VAR letting play flow in 2026/27

PISA, ITALY - MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium in Pisa during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Arena Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Refereeing designator Daniele Orsato outlined the statistics showing how this season’s new approach to fouls and VAR has transformed Serie A. ‘The objective is to favour football.’

The officials made it clear from the summer that they would be taking a looser view of the sport, after criticism from players and coaches that there were too many soft free kicks.

This in turn slowed down the overall tempo of the game, which became particularly evident when Italian teams had to play in Europe and were easily out-run.

Serie A referees and VAR changed tack

Today the Lega Serie A, the Italian Referees’ Association and representatives from the 20 Serie A clubs met at the Lissone VAR hub near Milan to discuss the five rounds played so far this season.

There were errors that the referees admitted to, but other situations where they stood their ground, insisting that VAR must only intervene in case of clear and obvious error, or a situation that the referee did not have a good view of.

“We want to give a direct contribution to improving the spectacle offered,” said refereeing director Domenico Messina.

“We’re working to avoid errors, but will not take a single step back on the approach we have taken, especially as it is shared by all the coaches who are present.”

The statistics make clear that the changes are having a big effect on the flow of the game.

The average time spent with the ball in play is now 59 minutes and 31 seconds, over five and a half minutes more than the last two seasons.

There are on average 22.6 fouls awarded per match instead of 26.23, fewer even this season than the Premier League’s 23.28.

Only two penalties have been given in Serie A this season, compared to nine at this stage in 2025/26, and 14 in 2024/25, even 16 in 2023/24.

The number of yellow cards has also dropped from 3.53 per game to 3.03, with two red cards compared to six at this point in 2023/24 and 2024/25, and five last season.

The biggest shift has been on VAR interruptions, just one On-Field Review this season, compared to six or eight in the last three terms.

“The objective is to favour football and not blow the whistle for the slightest contact,” added refereeing designator Orsato.

“These are the guidelines we are sticking with throughout the season.”