Juventus chief calls for refereeing overhaul

Published on: 16 April 2018

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta called for "a uniform method of refereeing in the whole of Europe" and backed calls for VAR to be introduced in the Champions League after his side's controversial elimination by Real Madrid.

Referee Michael Oliver awarded Real a penalty with seconds of their quarterfinal against Juve remaining when Lucas Vazquez went to ground after being nudged by Medhi Benatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo converted to put Real through after Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had been sent off for protesting against the decision.

Marotta backed Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, who called for VAR and also accused UEFA of bias against Italian clubs.

"I share in full everything that president Agnelli said," Marotta told Mediaset.

"He touched on precise points and I would also add that we absolutely need a uniform method of refereeing in the whole of Europe.

"We can't just have VAR in Italy, not have goalline referees in the Premier League and then have them in the Champions League because that's three different ways of refereeing.

"Each nation has a different method, but then again it would have just taken a bit of common sense in the last second and in the choice of a 33-year-old referee for such a demanding match."

Marotta refused to believe that there was any conspiracy behind their exit, though.

"I cannot and do not want to believe in such a thing," Marotta said. "If you analyse what happened in Madrid, you've got to draw a conclusion: an experienced referee would have managed it better. You can be a good referee, but experience and common sense have got to lead you to make different decisions."

"You can be a good referee, but experience and common sense have got to lead you to make different decisions."

VAR is being used in Italy, Germany and Portugal this season, and will also be used at the World Cup.

However, UEFA has ruled out adopting the technology for next season's Champions League.

Source: espn.co.uk

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