Napoli goalkeeper Nikita Contini has launched a scathing social media attack on modern refereeing and VAR following his team’s 2-1 loss to Atalanta.
Napoli’s Nikita Contini has sparked controversy by labeling modern football a “farce” following a heated 2-1 defeat to Atalanta.
The Partenopei were left incensed after referee Daniele Chiffi overturned a first-half penalty and disallowed a Rasmus Hojlund goal.
Contini expressed his nostalgia for a more physical era on Instagram, writing: “How beautiful real football was… Real clashes, real hits, insults, real tackles, real refereeing.”
The defeat leaves Napoli third in Serie A, level with Roma. Contini’s outburst also highlighted frustrations over away fan bans currently affecting several Italian clubs.
Criticizing the current state of the game and the impact of technology, the goalkeeper added: “What a farce today’s football is. Football is a serious matter; otherwise, we might as well take up dancing.”