With football being one of the most popular sport with billions of fans worldwide, a new system to curtail the oversights of referees during matches has been initiated, it is called VAR (Video Assistance Referee).
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is an associated football assistant referees that review decisions made by the head referee using video footage and a headset for communication.
VAR made its debut in competitive English football with positive reaction from Managers, players, and fans.
However, there has been some interference with it, like fans chanting “VAR” to demand a review – as well as questions, like just how aggressively can a manager or a player make an over-exuberant demand for a VAR intervention as that will be met with the same punishment as waving the imaginary red card.
When will VAR be used in a match?
Where a VAR review is used, it will normally be triggered during stoppages in play and limited to four types of match-changing incidents: goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.
How to know when it’s being used?
There are three ways to know when the VAR is being used in a match;
1. A word in the earpiece
This happened on four occasions in Chelsea and Arsenal’s 0-0 draw in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Referee Martin Atkinson halts the re-start of play, with a finger to his ear while listening to his VAR over two potential red card challenges and two Chelsea penalty claims; thereafter he was satisfied with the evidence relayed to him not to award a spot-kick.
2. VAR decides
Although this did not occur at either trial game, but when an actual video review process is engaged; fans will see the referee ‘draw’ a rectangle with his arms to replicate a TV screen.
Either the referee or the VAR can decide whether an incident needs to be analyzed.
If the decision is clear and a player has scored a goal from an offside position, for example, the VAR will inform the referee there has been an error which does not require further review. The referee will then make the ‘TV screen’ signal and change the original decision.
3. On-field review
This occurs in situations that are quite unclear; the VAR will advise the referee to look at the pitch side monitor for what is called an ‘on-field review’.
Following VAR review, the referee will make a ‘TV screen’ signal and communicate the final decision.
Fans in the stadium won’t be able to view replay pictures, but supporters watching at home will see the same camera angles as the referees, so they would at least be able to get an idea of which way the decision is going.
When the VAR is not used
In two instances, the VAR will not be used, the second yellow cards, and before the Referees makes an initial decision, as they have to make a decision and if it’s a clear and obvious error, they’ll be told by the VAR.
How often will the VAR be used?
The VAR took 40 minutes of Serie A’s opening game for its debut at the start of this season in Italy.
However, it has settled down and is now generally used about once in three or four matches, according to former referee David Elleray, the head of refereeing for International Football Association Board.
The technology has also been used in Germany’s Bundesliga and in MLS in the United States and was also available for England’s two goalless friendlies with Germany and Brazil last November, which passed without any incident.
Any concerns yet?
Juventus Manager, Massimiliano Allegri has expressed concern over delays caused by VAR referrals that the game was “turning into baseball”.
It is also reported that 47% of players wanted to abolish VAR in the Bundesliga, while some fans opine that it takes away the “flow of the game” owing to the time the VAR takes to make decisions.
Meanwhile, as regards those claiming it hands an unfair advantage to teams who benefit from its use, the Football Association says it is a level playing field for both teams, whether the technology is available or not, and point to the fact that a VAR review is not often used.
