Overview: Paolo Valeri’s Analysis of the 5th Matchday
Paolo Valeri, the deputy president of the Greek refereeing committee (KEΔ) and the current VAR manager, provided an in-depth breakdown of the most debated moments from the fifth round of the Stoiximan Super League. Replacing Stefán Lanoua as the on-air analyst, Valeri addressed the Gouma goal at Faliro that counted despite VAR issues and the penalty awarded against Panathinaikos, arguing that there was no foul and that the VAR failed to deliver the right frames to the on-field officials. He also noted that both the VAR and the match referee are international officials, underscoring the global nature of the officiating team involved.
Key Incidents on the 5th Matchday
Gouma’s Goal at Faliro: VAR’s Shortfall
Valeri explained that when the video system encounters a problem, the referee makes the final decision based on his own perception and the information received from his assistant. In the Gouma incident, the cues provided by the assistant were incorrect, yet the goal stood. Valeri highlighted that the VAR system should offer reliable angles and frames to guide the referee, especially in situations where the surrounding context can influence the decision. The incident illustrates how a malfunction or limited camera angles can impact a goal decision even when technology is available.
Penalty Against Panathinaikos: The Debate on Contact
Regarding the controversial penalty against Panathinaikos, Valeri described a sequence where the attacker from Panaitolikos heads the ball and the Panathinaikos defender clears, striking the ball first with the head and then with a hand away from the body. The ball then changes trajectory and would no longer threaten the goal. Under the established guidelines, this should not be a penalty. According to Valeri, the VAR spoke to the referee but only showed the hand contact, omitting the head contact, which altered the referee’s view and led to a call that Valeri considers incorrect. He argued that the VAR should have provided more complete and clearer footage to help the referee see the full sequence before making a decision.
Other Key Decisions: Carding and Goals Disallowed
Valeri touched on several additional decisions from that round. He supported the rightful sending off of Sengelia and the correct change in the color of Pantelidis’s card in the OFI–Kifisia match. In the Asteras AKTOR–PAOK game, he affirmed that the VAR correctly prompted the referee to call a penalty for Fernández against Chalov. He also noted that a goal from AEL Novibet against Atromitos was correctly ruled out. Taken together, Valeri’s assessment aims to show how VAR and on-field decisions interact across a range of situations, from disciplinary actions to direct goal-scoring moments.
Valeri’s Take: Why the Calls Were Interpreted as They Were
Valeri emphasizes that the integrity of officiating hinges on high-quality footage and precise communications between the VAR room and the pitch. When the system presents limited or skewed angles, the on-field referees may receive incomplete information, leading to decisions that later appear inconsistent. He stresses that in clear-cut cases—where the ball’s path and contact sequence are unambiguous—the correct outcomes should be straightforward. Conversely, when visuals are inadequate, even well-intentioned referees can be influenced by partial frames or misread cues. The overarching message from Valeri is a call for better video coverage, more representative angles, and consistent guidelines to reduce room for interpretation.
Implications for the Greek Refereeing System
Valeri’s analysis underscores a central truth of modern football officiating: technology is a powerful aid, not a substitute for clear, comprehensible on-field guidance. The Greek refereeing system is portrayed as capable and internationally connected, but the 5th matchday illustrates how gaps in video angles, communication, and frame selection can lead to controversial calls. Moving forward, Valeri’s commentary points toward improving camera coverage, refining the instructions given to on-field referees when reviewing footage, and enhancing transparency with the public to maintain trust in officiating decisions.
