Delayed kick-off of Torino-Lecce of 7 November 2026
Date of the event:
On 7 November 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, the kick-off of the Serie A match valid for the eleventh round between Torino and Lecce was delayed by 17 minutes due to an irregularity in the goal line placed under the Curva Maratona. The delay was noticed shortly before the scheduled time of 3pm by referee Ermanno Feliciani [1][2].
What happened
The match officials noted that the goal line defended in the first half by Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, right in front of the Curva Maratona, was not drawn straight. The irregular line made the pitch non-compliant and risked affecting the operation of the cameras and the Goal Line Technology, the system that determines whether the ball has fully crossed the goal line [1][2].
Feliciani therefore called in the pitch staff, who redrew the line, while the players, initially incredulous, continued warming up. Lecce coach Eusebio Di Francesco also asked the referee for an explanation. Daniele Orsato, who came down onto the pitch during the checks, was also present for the operations [2].
Checks and the start of the match
Once the line had been redrawn, Feliciani checked that the Goal Line Technology was working by passing the ball over the goal line and checking his watch. The first test was unsuccessful, making a further check with the help of VAR necessary. The match finally began at 3.17pm, 17 minutes behind schedule [1][2].
Related articles: Torino Football Club
Sources
- TorinoOggi — 7 November 2026
- TorinoToday — 7 November 2026