Corriere dello Sport report how the interpretation of “step on foot” incidents has become a major source of controversy in Italian football, causing confusion among referees, VAR officials, and fans alike. What was once a straightforward foul has now become a complex issue, with multiple incidents each match leading to inconsistent decisions.
Recent matches have highlighted the problem. In Monza-Roma, a step on foot by Giorgos Kryakopoulos on Tommaso Baldanzi was interpreted three different ways by various observers. Some saw it as a clear foul, others claimed it wasn’t as both players were watching the ball, while a third group argued it was unintentional and therefore not punishable.
The situation has put referee designator Gianluca Rocchi in a difficult position. During a VAR review show, Rocchi and former referee Gervasoni attempted to defend the decision made in the Monza-Roma match, but their explanation seemed more like an effort to protect the referee and the profession rather than clarify the rule.
Rocchi had previously stated that unintentionality is irrelevant in such cases, citing a similar incident in a Lecce-Milan match last season. However, the consistent application of this principle has proven challenging for officials.
The Fiorentina-Lazio match provided another contentious example, where a penalty was awarded for a step on foot in the penalty area, even though the defender was attempting to clear the ball. While many view this as an absurd decision from a footballing perspective, it is technically correct according to the current rules.
The issue highlights a broader problem in modern football: the difficulty in balancing technological advancements with the spirit of the game. While going back to pre-VAR days is impossible, the current situation where millimeter-precise offside calls and seemingly innocuous contact can decide matches is far from ideal.
