'Mertens situation can't happen again'

By Football Italia staff

Referee designator Nicola Rizzoli has warned Serie A officials that the Dries Mertens controversy during Fiorentina-Napoli ‘can’t happen again’.

Mertens was awarded a debatable penalty at the Artemio Franchi on Saturday, with the VAR opting not to intervene despite the Napoli forward appearing to dive.

“There was something which didn’t work in the collaboration between the referee and VAR,” Rizzoli told reporters.

“It was an error that must be corrected and can’t happen again.”

The 47-year-old was then asked whether referee Davide Massa and video assistant Paolo Valeri would sit out the next round of fixtures.

“There’s no doubt that a Coach plays whoever’s in the best shape, and the measures we’ll take will be with the intention of putting our officials in the best position to officiate.

“We’ll assess their psycho-physical condition.”

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