PARIS – In the Men's Quarterfinal played between Italy and Hungary at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 7 August at the Paris La Defense Arena, Francesco Condemi (ITA) was called for committing a violent action at 2:24 in the second quarter.
Subsequently, the Video-Assisted Review (VAR) referee reviewed the action, upholding the referee's decision.
A violent action decision results in the offending player being excluded from the remainder of the game with substitution after four (4) minutes and a penalty throw awarded to the opposing team (World Aquatics Competition Regulations Article 9.14)
Hungary won, 12-10, over Hungary in a Penalty Shoot Out (1 -3).
Italy filed a protest following the match. The referee reviewed the protest and rejected it.
Italy appealed the decision.
Following Italy's appeal, the World Aquatics Jury of Appeal reviewed the decision on 8 August.
The Jury rejected Italy's appeal, citing Article 20.7.5 of the World Aquatics Competition Regulations (part Six), which clearly states that a match result cannot be overturned because of a wrong decision involving VAR. The result for the Hungary—Italy Quarterfinal match was made official on 8 August.
Hungary advances to the Semifinal phase of the Men's Olympic Water Polo Tournament, where they will play Croatia on 9 August. Italy will play Spain in the Classification Round (5th-8th) on 9 August.
Upon further review of evidence that was not available at the time of the decision, including additional video match footage, the Italian player struck the face of the Hungarian player defending him in the normal act of shooting.
World Aquatics acknowledges that this play should not have resulted in the player being called for committing a violent action. However, while sympathising with Italy, the Jury of Appeals could not overturn the decision following, in particular Article 20.7.5, as previously cited.