Conte’s VAR rage continues: ‘I don’t want bad thoughts’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte was still upset at a post-match press conference on Sunday and continued protesting against VAR: ‘All the coaches are angry; I don’t want bad thoughts.’

Table leaders Napoli collected a 1-1 draw against Inter at San Siro last night, but the Nerazzurri missed a penalty kick in the second half.

Conte thought VAR should have cancelled the spot kick and did not hide his frustration during a post-match interview with DAZN.

Protests continued during a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia last night.

“It was annoying to hear that VAR could not intervene on a non-existent penalty. If there’s an error, VAR must intervene. If there’s an obvious error, it must intervene,” he said.

Conte’s VAR rage continues: ‘I don’t want bad thoughts’

epa11713788 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Inter and Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 10 November 2024. EPA-EFE/NICOLA MARFISI

“Using VAR like this fuels conspiracy theories and bad thoughts. I don’t want to have bad thoughts. If there’s an error, VAR must intervene.

“I want intellectual honesty and I’ve been hearing this thing for a while, so now it’s upsetting me,” he continued.

“If there’s a clear error, you must correct it or at least tell the referee to double-check on the monitor. If he confirmed the decision, I’d be the first to defend him.”

A reporter tried to cheer him up by saying that Napoli remained the table leader, but Conte could not stop talking about VAR.

“Sorry, nit I’m too angry about things. Hearing that VAR can’t intervene sounds like a joke,” he insisted.

“All the coaches are angry; VAR must intervene if there’s an error, whether it’s in favour or against Napoli. Who made this protocol? I don’t want conspiracy theories; I want to remain calm on the bench; otherwise, I’ll get yellow or red cards. Today, I saw that the odds for my red card were 1/4. Incredible.”

Conte was furious about the VAR protocol, which does not allow referees to check specific fouls at the pitchside monitor.

“Who made this protocol? It seems to be that it only creates confusion,” concluded Conte.

“I could have lost the game for what? Because the protocol says that VAR cannot intervene? Let’s cancel the protocol and cancel excuses; I want honesty.”

Inter, Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina are just one point below Napoli in the table, while Juventus sit sixth two points below the Partenopei.