Var under scrutiny: football's video technology faces two-year review
The sport of football is about to undergo a significant examination of its technological heart. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has announced a two-year review of the video assistant referee (VAR) system, a move prompted by persistent concerns over decision-making speed and accuracy.
Ifab to assess var's effectiveness after a decade
The announcement, revealed on Saturday, coincides with a series of rule changes designed to further integrate video technology into the game. These include expanding VAR's role in corner kick decisions and accelerating the implementation of penalties for players who deliberately obstruct opponents' view, a direct response to incidents like the alleged racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.
David Elleray, Ifab's technical director, confirmed the review’s commencement, marking the 10th anniversary of the initial trial of video technology. “We have agreed today that after 10 years we should be reviewing VAR to see where we want to go with it in the future,” Elleray stated. He acknowledged the ongoing debate within football regarding the ideal balance between perfect decision-making and accepting refereeing errors as inherent to the game.
The review will encompass three key areas of expansion. First, VAR will gain the authority to review any red card issued for a “clearly incorrect second yellow card.” Second, it will intervene when a referee wrongly penalizes the incorrect team. And third, VAR will be empowered to review “clearly incorrectly awarded corner kicks,” provided the review can be completed swiftly without disrupting play.
Alongside these procedural changes, Ifab is fast-tracking consultations on disciplinary measures targeting time-wasting tactics. Referees will now have the power to issue a five-second warning for slow throw-ins and goal kicks, with the consequence of a reversed throw-in or a corner kick being awarded. Substitutions must also be completed within 10 seconds, or the substitute will be required to remain on the field for at least one minute.
The introduction of VAR has not been without controversy. While proponents laud its potential to reduce egregious errors, critics point to the delays it frequently causes and the increasingly marginal nature of decisions. Pierluigi Collina, head of FIFA's referee committee, likened VAR's first decade to a marriage: “In Italy we are used to saying that, in every wonderful marriage, there is a crisis after seven years. So it might be possible that people fell in love with the VAR and then after some years, as with your wife, you have a small crisis.”
The English FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, emphasized the need for ongoing innovation in VAR application. He highlighted the potential to learn from other systems, such as the Football Video Support system, which provides coaches with a challenge system, potentially reducing the need for direct VAR intervention. The aim is to shift emphasis towards coaching oversight.
The changes represent a significant evolution in football's approach to technology. The question now isn't whether VAR will remain, but how it will evolve to truly enhance, rather than hinder, the flow and fairness of the game. The stakes are high: the integrity of the sport depends on it.