Wife nearly stabs husband over VAR rant during Atalanta-Napoli clash
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.02.26. | 11:35
The Parthenopei supporter is hospitalised after his partner mistakes the referee's rage for personal insults
The recent Serie A clash between Atalanta and Napoli nearly ended in tragedy - but not at the stadium. In the living room.
Instead, the real drama unfolded in a flat in Naples' Capodimonte district, where a 35-year-old woman allegedly stabbed her husband after mistaking his furious insults at the VAR for personal abuse.
The 40-year-old Napoli fan was watching his team's 2–1 defeat in Bergamo on Sunday - a game that turned volatile after a controversial penalty was overturned by video review. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the disallowed decision triggered a full-blown meltdown from the supporter, who began shouting angrily at the television.
Unfortunately, his wife believed the tirade was directed at her.
"Leave or I'll stab you!" she reportedly warned.
He barely had time to process that escalation. First came a pair of scissors thrown at him, but missing their target. Then a kitchen knife. The first stab missed. The second did not, striking him in the side. As he tried to call for help, more knives were allegedly hurled across the room - one embedding itself in the living room wall.
The man eventually managed to alert police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the woman. Officers reportedly found three additional knives in her handbag, including an oyster opener!?
The victim was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries but is now out of danger. His wife remains in custody and faces assault charges.
Surreale lite durante Atalanta-Napoli in un appartamento a Capodimonte: il marito urla per il rigore negato ai partenopei, la moglie pensa che gli insulti siano rivolti a lei e accoltella il coniuge rischiando ucciderlo. In manette è finita la 35enne pic.twitter.com/Iw0zp3lpqV
— Francesco Borrelli (@NotizieFrance) February 23, 2026
On the pitch, referee Daniele Chiffi disallowed a Napoli goal for a foul in the build-up and later overturned a penalty after VAR review, sparking outrage from the visitors. Sporting director Giovanni Manna did not hold back post-match.
"It's indefensible. There's no contact, no foul. Why wasn't it reviewed properly? We're winning 2-0 in Bergamo and they cancelled the goal. It's shameful," he told DAZN.
He continued: "What is VAR for? Where is the foul? This is not football. We're fighting for the Champions League. Something has to change."
In Naples, clearly, emotions were running even higher than usual. And another proof that the notorious VAR can cause damage far beyond the touchline.