Roma coach Gasperini ‘can’t stand VAR’, hits back at doping accusations

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini admits he ‘can’t stand VAR’ as it distances him from ‘football as I’ve always understood it’ and hits back at doping accusations from his time at Atalanta: ‘An insult to the club, the players and myself.’

Roma coach Gasperini released a long interview with Corriere dello Sport, replying to a question about doping accusations dating back to his time at Atalanta.

The allegations didn’t originate from official authorities, but from social media users, questioning Atalanta’s remarkable performances under Gasperini over the past nine seasons.

Gasperini: Doping rumours ‘insulting’ for Atalanta

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on August 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Are you joking?” said Gasperini.

“Anyone who even thought such a thing has insulted a club, myself, my staff and a group of players, their work and commitment.

“When people can’t find real answers, they resort to slander and the worst kinds of fantasies. We’ve always been clean.

“I believe in respecting the rules of sport,” he continued.

PISA, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Gian Piero Gasperini, manager of AS Roma, gestures during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and AS Roma at Arena Garibaldi on August 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I’ve always fought against doping. On the pitch, I hate to see players diving. I despise every kind of trickery or dirty play. They’re all attacks on the sport I love most. That we all love and consider part of our lives. That’s why I often get angry. There’s a difference between technical skill and deception or simulation.

Gasperini ‘can’t stand VAR’

BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Referee Simone Sozza checks the pitch side VAR monitor during the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on May 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Trying to dribble in the box to earn a penalty is part of the skill, but I can’t stand VAR; it distances me from football as I’ve always understood it.”

Gasperini took charge of Roma this summer and has led the Giallorossi to the top of the Serie A table, joined by defending champions Napoli, with 15 points in six games.

Roma have a big match coming up after the international break as they’ll host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico. The Nerazzurri sit fourth in the Serie A table, levelled on 12 points with Juventus.

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