Conte Rants: VAR Fury After Napoli Draw

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Post on Nov 12, 2024

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Conte Rants: VAR Fury After Napoli Draw

Antonio Conte's frustration with VAR reached boiling point after Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Italian manager unleashing a blistering post-match tirade.

Conte's fury stemmed from a controversial VAR review in the second half, where Napoli were awarded a penalty following a foul by Richarlison on Giovanni Simeone. Despite protests from Spurs players and staff, the referee upheld the decision, allowing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to equalize for the visitors.

"The VAR was unbelievable, it was a joke," Conte said in his post-match press conference. "The referee did not go to see the monitor. He saw the replay on the big screen in the stadium, but he didn't go to check. He didn't want to see the monitor. It's a disgrace."

Conte further criticized the lack of consistency in VAR decisions, arguing that similar incidents in previous matches had not resulted in penalties. "I don't understand the criteria. If in some situations you give a penalty, you have to be consistent and give it in every situation. This is the problem, the inconsistency."

The Tottenham manager also expressed his concern over the referee's apparent lack of communication with the VAR. "He didn't even speak to the VAR. It's a strange situation. It's a disgrace. I'm really angry because this is not football."

The draw leaves Tottenham's Champions League fate hanging in the balance. They now need a win in their final group game against Sporting Lisbon to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Despite the result, Conte remained optimistic about his team's chances. "We have to keep working hard and try to win our last game. We have to believe in ourselves," he said.

The game also saw a red card for Tottenham's Emerson Royal, who was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Piotr Zielinski. This will likely lead to further scrutiny on Conte's tactics, with the manager known for his defensive style.

While the draw may have been a frustrating result for Conte, it undoubtedly provided a platform for him to voice his frustrations with the current state of VAR implementation.

The question remains, however, whether Conte's fiery outburst will translate into tangible change in the way VAR is used in the future.