New VAR rule scrapped after just one DAY in embarrassing U-turn

ITALIAN football made history after introducing a new VAR system - only to scrap a rule a DAY later.

In Serie C, the third tier of football in Italy , a new referee assistance system known as Football Video Support is being trialled.

5 A player was handed a second yellow card for handball in the Serie C clash between Carpi and Juventus Credit: X formerly Twitter / @lbertozzi

5 But the Carpi manager told the referee to check the footage as part of a new VAR system being trialled Credit: X formerly Twitter / @lbertozzi

5 The referee went over to check the footage for a potential straight red card but found there was no handball Credit: X formerly Twitter / @lbertozzi

5 The coach's challenge was successful and the player was allowed to stay on the pitch Credit: X formerly Twitter / @lbertozzi

5 But it has already prompted a change in rules by rulemakers Credit: X formerly Twitter / @lbertozzi

This allows coaches to challenge decisions by requesting a referee check video footage of an incident.

Each coach has two challenges at their disposal - in a similar fashion to a coach's challenge in basketball - but will get to keep their challenge if the referee changes the original decision.

This was seen in action for the first time during the opening weekend clash between Carpi and Juventus Under-23s in Serie C Group B on Saturday.

Having just taken the lead in the game, Carpi then suddenly found themselves down to 10 men for a handball against Lorenzo Lombardi, with the defender being handed a second yellow.

Typically, VAR reviews only check for major decisions such as a straight red card, goal or penalty.

But quick-thinking Carpi coach Stefano Cassani asked for a review into the decision to check whether his player deserved a straight red card.

And as it turned out, Lombardi had taken the ball with his chest and not his hand, and after checking the monitor, the on-field referee, Francesco Zago, made a complete U-turn on the decision and rescinded the second yellow.

This allowed Lombardi to stay on the field, though Juventus reserves would go on to score an injury-time equaliser.

However, Cassani will be the only manager able to use the rules in his team's favour like this.

That is because Serie C have since slammed this loophole shut.

Following the game, the league said managers would no longer be able to call reviews against their own team.

VAR has also undergone a change at the top level of Italian football, with referees now announcing decisions for the crowd in stadiums like in the Premier League.

Martin Lipton's pro VAR view

FAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.

After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.

A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.

And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.

Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker. It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.

But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”

Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.