One of the biggest innovations in sports is the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). You can notice that some laws have changed if you compare two football games from a decade ago with one from today.
VAR has completely changed modern football by making it possible to tell the difference between the goal line and the tip of the ball. For instance, if VAR had been in effect at the time, Diego Maradona’s famous “finger of God” goal from June 22, 1986, would not have stood.
The Video Assistant Referee system provides a clear demonstration of the rapid pace change in the game’s goal-line precision.
The primary responsibility of the video assistant referee is to assess all reviewable situations and suggest an OFR (On-field review) in cases where an evident error may have occurred.
This singularly makes the VAR a qualified referee. We are going to explore the evolution of VAR refereeing and its impact on the sport of football.
The Origins of VAR
VAR is a recent addition to the game’s long decade of direct observatory refereeing. Initially tested in various leagues and finally adopted widely in 2018, VAR’s purpose is to reduce critical errors in key areas, such as goals, penalties, and red card decisions.
Implemented globally, VAR has made the game more transparent, yet it has also sparked debate among fans and players regarding its impact on the game’s flow and spontaneous celebrations.
Early Discussions and Trials
Early debates about football technology use prepared the way for VAR’s eventual adoption. The Royal Netherlands Football Association’s Refereeing 2.0 initiative came up with the idea for VAR in the early 2010s, and the 2012–13 Eredivisie season served as its testing ground.
The Dutch association attempted to increase its use after mock trials were successful. As a result, a major petition was filed to the International Football Association Board in 2014.
Two years later, the IFAB approved extensive trials for the new technology. The idea was to assist in the elimination of crucial match-changing errors.
Controversial events such as Thierry Henry’s iconic handball that cost Ireland a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup concretized the need for VAR. The Video Assistant Referee consequently developed quickly and became an essential component of modern football.
The Implementation of VAR
The Video Assistant Referee was formally implemented by professional football for the 2017–18 season following years of testing and development.
One of the earliest leagues to use VAR was the Australian A-League, and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup was the first significant international event to use the technology.
A significant shift was marked in the 2018–19 season when FIFA officially adopted the use of VAR into the Laws of the Game. This meant fans and players were going to experience a more innovative approach to refereeing.
VAR would go on to influence important aspects of games like goals, penalties, and red cards. It can be said that the major football event in which we saw the abilities of the Video Assistant Referee was the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
How VAR Works
The Video Assistant Referee system operates to support the on-field referee in four critical match scenarios: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
During a match, the VAR team continuously monitors these specific areas for “clear and obvious” errors or significant missed incidents. When a potential issue arises, the VAR communicates directly with the referee.
When the VAR team spots, they contact the on-field referee. The main referee can then decide to accept the VAR’s input or conduct an on-field review.
In most cases, if the referee doubts the VAR, they usually exit the field to double-check the VAR’s claim on the side-pitch monitor. At the end of the on-field review, the final decision is obtained, and the players are informed.
This usually takes extra play time, which is compensated in the game by adding the corresponding time spent, to the end of the match, or half.
The VAR Process
The VAR process is a structured sequence aimed at minimizing clear errors in critical match decisions. The brain behind the VAR process is the Video Assistant Referee team.
Right from the start of the game, these professionals are set up in a video operations room. They have just one job to do, monitor multiple camera angles as the game unfolds and alert the on-field referee in critical incidents.
The VAR team will not bother to alert the referee if the situation is obvious to the main referee or field players. However, if the VAR team identifies a “clear and obvious” error, which might have been ignored, they inform the on-field referee at once through an earpiece.
The technology involved in VAR includes multiple HD cameras, slow-motion replay, and tools for offside detection. This makes it easy to prove comprehensive views to ensure fair play.
Types of Decisions Reviewed
The VAR’s general purpose is to help referees make decisions in four crucial match scenarios. Instances of mistaken identity, direct red card occurrences, possible penalty calls, and contentious goals. Let’s see how the VAR evaluates these rulings.
- VAR Goal Checks: For goals, VAR checks for any potential infringements during the lead-up play that might affect their validity.
- VAR Penalty Checks: When it comes to penalty decisions, the system reviews whether a penalty should or should not have been awarded.
- Red Card Incidents: VAR is also employed for reviewing direct red card incidents, though it does not apply to second yellow cards.
- Mistaken Identity: In instances of mistaken identity, VAR helps ensure that the correct player is sanctioned when confusion arises on the field.
Although the technology in all four situations attempts to increase fairness and minimize major mistakes in the game, the on-field referee has the last say and can check the video on the pitch-side monitor to confirm or modify their initial calls.
The Impact of VAR on football
The VAR’s general purpose is to help referees make decisions in four crucial match scenarios. Instances of mistaken identity, direct red card occurrences, possible penalty calls, and contentious goals. Let’s see how the VAR evaluates these rulings.
Enhancing Match Accuracy
The introduction of VAR has significantly enhanced the accuracy of decision-making in football by reducing unsuspicious errors and critical faults.
Since its debut in major competitions, such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup, VAR has led to an estimated 99.3% accuracy rate for crucial match decisions, up from around 95% before its implementation.
In the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament, VAR officials accurately corrected 18 on-field decisions over 51 matches, demonstrating its impact on reducing refereeing mistakes.
Additionally, VAR has proven particularly effective in making precise offside calls, addressing historically challenging areas in officiating, and enhancing overall game fairness.
Changes in Refereeing Dynamics
VAR functions as an additional layer of oversight, offering real-time feedback through multiple camera angles and communication with video assistants.
The video assistant referee technology serves to complement the lapses of on-field refereeing. This collaboration allows referees to confirm, clarify, or correct crucial decisions in areas like penalties and red card incidents without relying solely on their initial viewpoint.
However, the dynamic between referees and VAR has introduced new challenges. For example, referees sometimes hesitate to make quick decisions, knowing they can consult VAR, which can occasionally delay gameplay and affect game flow.
Despite these challenges, VAR generally enhances accuracy and accountability in officiating.
Player and Fan Reactions
Players and fans have had mixed reactions to VAR. Many applaud its ability to improve fairness and accuracy in matches by reducing mistakes in crucial moments, like offside calls and penalty decisions.
For some, VAR brings a greater sense of justice and minimizes the impact of errors on match outcomes. However, others feel VAR disrupts the game’s flow, creating delays that can deflate the emotional highs of the sport.
Fans have sometimes expressed frustration at prolonged reviews, which can reduce the intensity of in-the-moment celebrations. Similarly, some players find that VAR adds uncertainty, leading to confusion on the pitch.
Controversies Surrounding VAR
You may have thought to yourself, ‘Is VAR a perfect mode of refereeing?’ or ‘Are there no disadvantages to using VAR?’ The fact is that every tool or system employed by technology has its accuracy limits.
For the most part, the usage of the Video Assistant Referee has transformed the scope and landscape of accurate footballing games as a sport.
However, there have been a few controversies surrounding the technology. Some of the areas of controversy involving the VAR are presented below:
Timing and Length of Interruptions
The first issue with the Video Assistant Referee, or at least one that has raised concerns over time is its game interruptions. VAR interruptions in football have literarily sparked frustration among fans and players due to timing and length, especially for losing teams in a game.
Reviews often disrupt the match flow, leading to delays that can reach several minutes, as seen in high-profile instances like the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA studies revealed that average delays were around 50 seconds, but complex reviews, especially those involving subjective decisions, can extend significantly longer.
This has led to criticism about the negative impact on the rhythm of games and the spontaneity of celebrations, as fans wait in suspense for final calls.
Subjectivity and Consistency
Let’s look at subjectivity, as it concerns whether a call for review is justified or not. VAR’s subjectivity has fuelled ongoing debate in football, particularly around offside calls, handballs, and fouls.
Offside decisions are especially contentious, with goals sometimes disallowed by a margin as slim as a player’s toe, intensifying disputes over fairness.
Some players tend to think the VAR is prejudiced. The millisecond timing of when the ball leaves a passer’s foot adds another subjective layer, as judgments hinge on minor details in the replay.
Handball calls also illustrate VAR’s limits in removing ambiguity. Interpretations of arm positioning, distance, and speed can vary among referees, leading to inconsistent outcomes.
Similarly, fouls remain a gray area, with different officials making varying decisions on similar incidents. This subjectivity has caused mixed reactions among fans, players, and commentators.
Some analysts argue that although the Video Assistant Referee is a technological input, it is monitored by people, and they can make mistakes.
The ‘Clear and Obvious’ Standard
The “clear and obvious” standard for VAR interventions has been a contentious point in football, as it requires only evident mistakes to be overturned.
However, the interpretation of this guideline has sparked debates among players, managers, and officials. Many argue that some reviews, especially for marginal offside calls take too long.
This suggests the error might not be obvious. For instance, in the Premier League, multiple goals have been disallowed by narrow offside rulings, frustrating fans and players who feel such close decisions undermine the principle of VAR intervening only for clear mistakes.
The Future of VAR in Football
We have to say at this point that the Video Assistant Referee technology has solidified its place in the game of football. Yes, there might be some controversies, but the majority of the time VAR is recommended where referees can’t put a finger on when things go wrong.
In football, VAR is headed toward refinement, aiming to reduce delays and improve decision accuracy.
Developments in VAR technology are expected to streamline decision times, increasing the speed and consistency of calls while preserving the excitement and momentum of the game.
Technology Advancements
Improved visuals, AI-assisted decision-making, and new software integration could greatly increase the efficacy of VAR. AI and machine learning have the ability to improve decision-making by streamlining it, increasing its speed and accuracy while decreasing human mistakes and inconsistency.
Referees will be able to see incidents on the field more clearly thanks to improved graphics, such as 3D modeling, which will provide crisper views in close-call scenarios.
AI-powered real-time judgment tools and automatic offside lines could reduce delays and improve the speed and accuracy of VAR reviews.
Proposed Changes and Improvements
The main goals of suggestions to upgrade the VAR system are efficiency, openness, and improving the fan experience. Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is one important progress that should speed up decisions and lower errors.
To give supporters real-time updates on decision-making, another important step is the potential big-screen presentation of VAR reviews and improved in-stadium announcements. Additionally, VAR officials are receiving better training to increase their communication and accuracy.
VAR’s Role in Grassroots Football
There are possible advantages as well as difficulties with incorporating VAR into amateur football. Although the technology has improved decision-making accuracy in professional leagues, obstacles including funding and the availability of required technology prevent its widespread use at lesser levels.
The expense of video equipment and the infrastructure needed for real-time monitoring is a problem for many grassroots organizations.
The benefits of using VAR at these levels, however, might greatly improve match integrity. Accurate decision-making, for instance, can support fair play and improve the atmosphere for players and spectators in crucial circumstances like goals, penalties, and red cards.
Furthermore, as amateur football frequently lays the groundwork for future professional players, VAR could foster a sense of professionalism at a young age.
Conclusion
We can’t wrap up this piece without praising the VAR’s advantages, which have unquestionably changed football. A technical framework has been created by the Video Assistant Referee with the goal of improving sports fairness.
In addition to promoting increased trust between players, coaches, and fans, VAR has the ability to improve the integrity of the game.
This advancement has not, however, been without controversies. Issues such as timing interruptions, subjective interpretations, and inconsistent applications of the “clear and obvious” standard have led to widespread debate about the system’s efficacy.
It is fair to acknowledge the complexity of integrating technology into a deeply traditional sport such as football.
While its ability to enhance decision-making accuracy is commendable, the controversies surrounding its implementation reveal the challenges that lie ahead.
As football governing bodies continue to discuss proposed changes and improvements, the future of technology in officiating will likely focus on refining VAR’s processes and addressing the concerns raised by its use.
References and Further Reading
If you are interested in delving deeper into the evolution and impact of VAR in football, several credible sources and studies provide valuable insights.
The UEFA website offers a comprehensive overview of VAR’s implementation across European competitions, detailing its effectiveness and ongoing developments.
You can also check inside.fifa.com for additional information on the VAR’s use in European football. The Premier League’s official site features an in-depth history of VAR, including its operational protocols and adjustments made during different seasons.
Additionally, scholarly articles on platforms like ResearchGate discuss the technical and ethical implications of VAR in the sport. Books such as “Football’s Next Generation: A Guide to VAR”, provide extensive analyses of the system’s role in enhancing officiating accuracy.