Var signals: ex referee reveals 'code' used to influence referees
A former Italian referee, Pasquale De Meo, is alleging a systematic manipulation of VAR decisions, claiming a ‘code’ of gestures was used to subtly influence officials during matches. The revelations, surfacing amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the officiating landscape, paint a disturbing picture of behind-the-scenes interference.
Secret signals exposed: a referee’s account
De Meo, speaking to Italian news agency Agi, detailed how, during weekly referee meetings, a series of specific hand signals – reportedly including a ‘rock-paper-scissors’ maneuver – were established and communicated to VAR personnel. He describes this as a ‘known practice’ within the refereeing community, a silent agreement to correct perceived errors.
“These gestures were decided in private meetings among the referees, established each week,” De Meo explained. “For example, there was the ‘rock-paper-scissors’ signal.”
The crux of the matter? The inconsistency in implementing this alleged ‘code.’ De Meo questioned why these signals were deployed in some games, yet conspicuously absent in others, suggesting a deliberate attempt to skew outcomes. “Why did this signal appear in some matches and not in others? This created a situation where the integrity of the league was compromised,” he stated.
De Meo’s claims directly challenge the autonomy of VAR officials, a cornerstone of the modern game. The protocol dictates that VAR operators should be independent decision-makers, free from external influence. However, if substantiated, this evidence suggests a far more complex and potentially corrupt system at play.
The former referee linked his accounts to previous whistleblower Domenico Rocca’s claims, alleging that these signals were used to protect the careers of underperforming directors of refereeing. A correction, he argues, invariably impacts future designator decisions. He believes the motivation wasn’t necessarily to favour a specific team, but to shield compromised officials.
“I have nothing to celebrate, but I am pleased that an ordinary prosecutor has intervened,” De Meo concluded. “There will be an impartial judgment, by a truly impartial body, on what was happening.”
The situation has now escalated with an investigation into referee Nasca, adding further fuel to the fire. While Grassani, head of the Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary proceedings, cautioned against premature conclusions regarding club involvement, the revelations are already causing significant disruption.
This isn't simply about a few isolated incidents; it’s about a potential systemic manipulation of the game's most crucial element: fairness.