Nicola Rizzoli, who officiated the 2014 World Cup final and now handles the Italian league's refereeing appointments and technical matters, said at a meeting among Serie A stakeholders that constant checks for involuntary handballs is putting too much strain on the video review system.

In 119 Serie A matches through 12 rounds this season there have been 790 incidents checked by the VAR, which translates to 6.6 checks per match.

That's up from 657 checks and 5.4 per match at this point last season.

Perhaps more alarming is that the instances in which VAR has corrected a referee's decision on the field have doubled from last season - from 24 to 48.

"It means we're not refereeing well," Rizzoli said. "But also that the rules have changed."

At Tuesday's refereeing summit attended by all 20 Serie A clubs, Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said VAR dependence was spiralling out of control.

"Who is refereeing the games?" Ancelotti said. "At times I get the impression that some games are being decided by the VAR."

Rizzoli replied to Ancelotti by saying that the referee is always at the centre of the decision-making process.

However, he added that new rules mean that referees no longer have to consider intent on handballs.

"The handball is one of the most challenging situations the referees have to judge," Rizzoli told The Associated Press after the meeting, adding that the IFAB rules panel should consider "adjustments" after this season.

The increase in VAR checks has also resulted in an increase in angry player protests.

Rizzoli appealed to teams to curtail the protests and reminded them to make sure only the captain addresses the referee.

"If the captain comes we are obliged to offer an explanation," Rizzoli said.

"Everything we can do better in terms of communication with the captain instead of a lot of players that surround the referee.

"The rulers of the game have to think about giving more power to the captain in terms of collaboration with the referee."

Australian Associated Press