Serie A went through the first 31 matches of the 2026/27 season without a single penalty being awarded or a VAR on-field review being recommended. The first spot-kick arrived in the 32nd match, while the first penalty was not converted until the 34th game.
The unusual start follows a change in refereeing guidelines from the AIA (Italian Referees Association), which entered the campaign determined to address criticism over excessive stoppages, soft penalties, and red cards.
Serie A changes its approach to penalties
Italian football has embraced VAR more extensively than many other leagues, but the technology has also faced criticism for focusing too heavily on slow-motion replays rather than considering the speed and intensity of incidents in real time.
The new approach has produced a clear change in evaluation. During the opening 31 Serie A matches, referees awarded no penalties, and there were no recommended VAR on-field reviews.
One incident came in Genoa's 1-1 draw with Frosinone, when a handball was not considered a clear and obvious error because the player's hand was not visibly moving towards the ball.
VAR reviews and the first Serie A penalty
The drought finally ended when that type of incident resulted in a penalty. However, Lorenzo Colombo was unable to take advantage of the opportunity, sending his side-footed effort wide of the target for Genoa.
The first converted penalty of the campaign arrived in the 34th match. Daniel Maldini scored from the spot against his parent club, Atalanta, as Cagliari secured a 2-1 victory.
That penalty was also awarded for handball, but the referee identified Sead Kolasinac's arm above his head during the action without needing a VAR review.
Serie A penalties stand apart from other leagues
Serie A's approach has made it an outlier compared with the other major European leagues. While the new attitude reflects the AIA's intention to change how incidents are evaluated, there are concerns that refereeing standards may have swung too far in the opposite direction.
The difference is particularly clear when compared with the opening 30 matches elsewhere. LaLiga had 13 penalties awarded, Ligue 1 had nine, the Premier League had five, and the Bundesliga had one.
The contrast leaves Serie A with a notably different penalty pattern after its first 34 matches, following the AIA's attempt to reduce stoppages and avoid decisions based too heavily on slow-motion replays.