Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Sunday, February 15, 2026, 1:24 p.m. / Updated Sunday, February 15, 2026, 1:24 p.m.
Incidents like the one that happened in Inter – Juventus (3-2), when Turin's Kalulu was eliminated following a totally unjustified second “yellow”, will no longer be possible at the 2026 World Cup.
On January 20 last year, the IFAB, the body responsible for maintaining or changing the rules of football, raised the issue of the legitimacy of VAR intervention in the case of a second yellow card. Not to suggest this, but to change it when it is considered excessive.
The need for VAR intervention in such a situation was highlighted in Inter – Juventus (3-2), on Saturday evening, when the referee Federico La Penna showed a second “yellow” to Kalulu from Turin, in the 42nd minute, with the score 1-1, for the slight push of Bastoni, who went on the counterattack.
'Central' Federico La Penna 'will be away from the pitch for a long time'
The VAR did not intervene to correct the “central” mistake because it is only enabled in the case of a direct “red”, but Gazzetta dello Sport writes that the IFAB will change this provision at its annual meeting on February 28, so that the second warning can also be analyzed with the help of technology.
“The direction towards a “yes” for the 2026 World Cup is clear“, assures the most important profile daily from the Peninsula: “The VAR rule, which allows the cancellation of a second yellow card, has already been modified, but it will have to be implemented.
The possibility of this being implemented at the World Cup is now very high. Meanwhile, La Penna will have to stay away from the field for a long time.”
Gianluca Rocchi, responsible for the delegation of referees, admits the error, but also blames the players and coaches
The head of referees in Serie A, Gianluca Rocchi, admitted today that the “central” delegated by him made a big error. “We are deeply sorry for this incident. For La Penna's decision, which was clearly incorrect, and for the fact that we could not use VAR to rectify it,” Rocchi pointed out.
On the other hand, he hit back and criticized Bastoni's behavior, which he said had misled La Penna, as well as the clubs and coaches: “La Penna feels humiliated and I understand him, but I have to tell you the truth. He is not the only one who made a mistake, because yesterday was a clear simulation.
The last in a long series in a championship where they try everything they can to fool us. I say this also in relation to a championship in which the coaches never helped us, but, on the contrary, made things difficult for us. We are very sorry because in the end we are everyone's last resort. We are quite capable of taking responsibility when we make mistakes, but no one defends us“.
Summary of the match Inter – Juventus 3-2
Current standings in Serie A
