The no-error referee has arrived

Gaurav Kanthwal

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the lawmaking body of the sport, is all set to change the rules of the game. The beautiful game will now be played with the active support of technology known as video assistant referee (VAR) to reduce the chances of errors by the on-field referee. The aim is to bring fairplay and accuracy in the decision-making while the match is on.

Had VAR technology been available in 1986, Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal would have been denied to Argentina, a goal that cost England the FIFA World Cup that year.

The revolutionary but controversial technology will make its debut in the FIFA World Cup (June 14 to July 15) in Russia. The final decision, however, will be made when the FIFA Council meets in Colombia.

It is now just a formality that needs to be completed as confirmed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently. VAR has already been implemented in the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A. Spain’s has begun training officials for the next La Liga season.

Nuts and bolts

VAR actually stands for video assistant referee. It is a team of three persons who review certain decisions made by the main referee on the field by watching video replays of the match proceedings. The team has the video assistant referee, a current or former referee, his assistant and a replay operator. They officiate from a video operation room in the stadium with multiple monitors offering different camera angles.

Why use VAR?

Four types of decisions can be reviewed using this technology. Goals and violations leading up to a goal, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity in giving a card. The on-field referee’s decision can only be changed if it is a clear error.

VAR comes into play only if the on-field referee asks for a review after making a decision, or the VAR team feels the need to intervene. 

After the referees have been apprised of VAR decision, he/she has three options: overturn the call based on the VAR’s advice, review the incident themselves on the touchline or go ahead with their own decision. An IFAB research from 1,000 matches shows that referee accuracy without VAR is 93 per cent but with video assistance, it rises to 99 per cent. 

VAR was first used at the Club World Cup in December 2016, and trials were held in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Current status 

At present, VAR has no place in the laws of the game but this technology is being tested in various leagues by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). FIFA applied it in last year’s U-20 World Cup and Confederations Cup. Germany, Italy and Portugal have been using it this season in their national leagues. 

Complaints and concerns

Like in other sports where technology has been introduced to bring in accuracy, a few football followers say  it is time consuming and stops the run of play. It also creates confusion among the players, fans and officials. Another complaint is that the use of VAR can be selective and it lacks consistency.

Players and managers have complained that referees are too eager to use the technology during the match and the fans are left clueless why certain decisions are being made. There are concerns about VAR slowing down the game. Sometimes, VAR may play a spoilsport in fan’s celebration as the decision is sent for a review. The solution, however, is a better communication with the spectators through on field display.

Some resistance

The English Premier League will not use VAR in its next season. UEFA will not be used in the Champions League next season. But France’s Ligue 1 will introduce it from the next season.

If oracle fails, switch to Wimu Pro

Players and teams nowadays go to any extent to succeed on the field. From consulting oracles to importing state-of-the-art technology, Sri Lanka is one team that is leaving no stone unturned to reverse their flagging fortunes. In a latest development, they have now turned to FC Barcelona’s player management software to get vital clues on what is wrong with their national cricket team. The Spanish football giants use Wimu Pro to track real time data of its squad’s fitness, playing pattern and how the players react under given circumstances.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has modified this software and included match analysis systems and play reviews in it. Experts have also modified the key performance indicators for cricket to suit the needs of the national team after trials in a recent tournament. The players will have to wear a satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) device during the practice sessions and tournaments to help the team management monitor these in real time.

Sri Lanka’s high  performance manager Simon Willis said, “This system will allow evidence-based decisions to be made. The new technology would help selectors and managers monitor their squad’s performance with real-time data. We had to create what is relevant to cricket. It’s not cheap, but it is a good investment because it gives us instant information.” SLC claims to be in possession of the world’s most advanced player management system in cricket. The cricketing body paid close to Rs 49 lakh as a one-time payment, along with Rs 13 lakh annual subscription for upgrades and maintenance. At present, this software is designed to track 40 players at any given time. The Islanders are using it in the home Tri-nation series against India and Bangladesh.

This is in contrast to what Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal had suggested after their surprise Test series sweep against Pakistan in October last. Referring to his consultations with an oracle before the start of the series, he said, “I am always ready to accept the blessings of anyone — whether it is a meyni (Oracle) or any clergy. You can have talent, but without this blessing, you can’t move forward.” Seems like Sri Lankan cricket has decided to move on.

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In numbers

3,947 instances of VAR in 804 matches so far. It has been noticed that one decision in three games is a clear error.   

56.9% of checks were made for penalty-related incidents and goals with an average of roughly five checks per match.   

8% of matches in which VAR was used had decisive impact on result.   

1% Average time loss due to VAR in overall playing time.