Conte refuses to repeat VAR claims: ‘It makes me laugh…’ | OneFootball

Napoli coach Antonio Conte has ‘already said’ what he needed about VAR but adds: ‘It makes me laugh that many adopted my stance only when they were directly affected.’

Napoli famously raged at VAR and its protocol in November after an away draw against title rivals Inter.

Referee and VAR decisions irritated many other Serie A clubs in recent weeks, but Conte refused to repeat his stance on the matter.

“I have already said everything I needed to say,” he said at a press conference on Friday.

“I was heavily criticized when I spoke about VAR. I was the first to bring it up. I spoke on behalf of coaches, but I noticed some distanced themselves, saying I was speaking only for myself.

“Then I saw them come back, complaining when it affected them personally,” Conte continued.

Conte refuses to repeat VAR claims: ‘It makes me laugh…’

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: The maxi screen shows the use of var during the serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 23, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Maybe ‘we’ was the right term. It wasn’t just about me. I don’t want to revisit the discussion. It would be pointless. I already said what I needed to say. It makes me laugh that many adopted my stance only when they were directly affected.

“Even certain media outlets took a stand when specific teams were affected, but when I spoke up, there wasn’t the same level of solidarity. That says a lot about the discrepancy when you’re in Naples.”

Napoli will visit Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, but Partenopei fans with a Campania postcode are banned from buying tickets.

“I find it absurd. I understand that there are rules, but this is now eight consecutive away matches without our traveling fans,” said Conte.

“Only Napoli fans. It’s ridiculous, this is something unique in Italy. I always ask for fairness in all things, including regulations. Otherwise, it’s like slapping the same person every time, even when others deserve it too, just because they have a certain reputation.

“It’s absurd to play away without our Napoli-based fans. Thankfully, Napoli supporters are everywhere, and the non-resident ones always show their love for the team. But this situation is absurd. I just want fairness. Stop always punishing the same people.”

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“Lazio are strong team has beaten us twice,” continued the Napoli coach.

“A team in fourth place that qualified for the Europa League through the main entrance. I said it when we faced them: they are well-built, with a strong squad, and they are proving what they showed in those two games against us.

“Tomorrow is a different match. We will face them with our strengths and our qualities and with the same preparation as always. We have confidence in ourselves, knowing they are a strong team and that we are playing away.”

Conte was also happy with criticism against the team in recent weeks.

“If you look back at my press conferences, I have talked about the lack of unity in the environment. I don’t see it. Be careful because it bothers me that what I say gets ignored, and then you ask me the same questions again,” he argued.

“I’ve already answered. Find a different headline. I always say things clearly in press conferences, yet they are either not understood or deliberately ignored.

“It’s disappointing that after months, nothing has changed. It’s still the same as before, either you accept it or you don’t.

“I spoke about the lack of unity months ago, after just two or three months. We already have enough battles to fight against others, but I don’t see the right sense of unity here. Do we need to bring it up again, like we did with VAR? I already addressed it three months ago, and now, three months later, we’re discussing it again despite being in a better position in the standings. Something doesn’t add up.”