Massimo Mauro, a former Serie A player, has voiced strong criticism against the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, calling it a “total disgrace” that has failed to enhance the sport. Mauro argues that VAR has not improved football but has simply relocated on-field problems to off-field decision-making processes.

The latest round of Serie A matches saw several controversial referee decisions, including disputed handball calls, contentious red cards, and questionable goal allowances. These incidents have reignited the debate over VAR’s effectiveness in ensuring fair play.

In his weekly column for La Repubblica, Mauro expressed his frustration with the current state of football officiating: “We’ve reached a point of total disgrace in football. This encompasses what happens on the pitch, with VAR, and how it’s discussed by former players and journalists alike.”

Mauro contends that after years of implementation, it has become clear that VAR does not improve the game or enhance the sense of justice. He argues that the technology has merely shifted decision-making problems from the field to a video review room, asserting that football and sport can inherently be unfair at times.

The former winger suggests limiting technology use to offside decisions and goal-line technology, stating that expanding beyond these areas leads to endless debates without resolution. He also criticizes the reduced role of assistant referees, citing recent incidents where their hesitation to flag clear offsides led to unnecessary complications.

Mauro draws a parallel between the current state of football and healthcare, arguing that in both cases, the central focus – be it the patient or the sport itself – is often overshadowed by competing interests. He concludes by expressing his dismay at players’ theatrical performances and the inability to overturn clearly incorrect decisions, stating that such behavior is intolerable for true sports enthusiasts.

With 307 Serie A appearances and two Scudetto wins under his belt, Mauro’s critique adds a experienced voice to the ongoing debate about technology’s role in modern football.