Atalanta CEO Percassi: “Referee and VAR Made Serious, Scandalous Errors”

In the aftermath of Atalanta’s defeat against the unstoppable Inter, Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi expressed his dismay over what he deemed as significant officiating errors. Despite a two month unbeaten run, La Dea suffered a resounding 4-0 loss, missing out on the chance to surpass Thiago Motta’s Bologna for the fourth spot in the standings. Speaking with DAZN post-match, Percassi took aim at the referee and VAR, calling some of the decisions ‘scandalous’:

“Commenting on such a match is difficult. We were facing a great team to whom we give great compliments. Tonight, they once again demonstrated the immense quality they possess. But it’s disappointing about the result. Serious mistakes were made both by the referee and the VAR. The incidents were decisive and scandalous,” said Luca Percassi, Atalanta’s CEO, to Dazn.

Continuing on the refereeing incidents: “It’s incomprehensible how, despite having access to the available footage, De Ketelaere’s goal could be disallowed. The goal was valid; there was no touch from Miranchuk. It’s Bastoni who touches the ball. At most, it could have been a penalty for Atalanta. Then there’s also the penalty awarded to Inter. Nobody in the stadium understood what was happening; nobody saw it, and the linesman had raised his flag.”

Finally, Percassi concluded the interview with Dazn by saying, “We are disappointed because it would have been a beautiful match, but it was influenced by the refereeing incidents that favored Inter entirely.”