“Farina was a teacher and a mentor who made me grow. If I arrived in Serie A it is thanks to him". Pride and emotion accompanied Daniele Chiffi during the Bearzot Awards ceremony in the CONI Hall of Honour. A well-deserved recognition (in memory of Stefano Farina) to one of the best prepared Italian referees. AIA President Alfredo Trentalange explained why the choice fell on Chiffi: "He was awarded this prize for his technical skills, evaluated in all matches. But the Prize dedicated to Farina is not only a technical but also an ethical recognition. Chiffi has a low-profile style that leaves no room for the ego, but points to the heart of a choice that is always simple, honest and transparent".
President Trentalange also touched on other topics during the event. “Whether Rocchi will be confirmed as designator? There is a great possibility, given the great work he is doing, the openness to young people and the excellent ability to withstand criticism. But it will be a decision that will be up to the National Committee. Will we separate the referee-VAR pathway? We think there must be a specialization of the VAR function. Of course, someone who would like to work as VAR must have been referee, have refereed matches on the field and then have to specialize. Like the assistant referees, who are starting as referees and then specialize in the role of assistants". Finally, Trentalange replied to those who asked if the referees are ready to comment on the episodes after the matches: “We will eventually get to do it. but not immediately and not right after the match, when the spirits are still hot. It would risk inflaming them and questions would not be posed gracefully. But we must not think of having to justify the mistakes; we believe, instead, that it is important to comment on the episodes for teaching purposes". Returning to Chiffi, the referee explained the penalty initially not given to Inter against Udinese for Pablo Mari's foul on Dzeko and then awarded after OFR. "I was in an excellent position, but sometimes it is not enough. From the dynamics I thought that the defender had played the ball first and then the attacker on the momentum, as a normal consequence. I communicated to the VAR what my impression had been and the VAR, seeing that this was not what had happened, invited me to review the situation on the monitor".
Source: AIA