VAR set to be used at World Cup

Football's rule-making body Ifab approves use, final decision to be made at Fifa Council meeting

Mar 03, 2018 10:54 pm

Video replays to help referees make key decisions are set to be used at this year’s World Cup in Russia after the system was approved by football’s rule-making body International Football Association Board (Ifab) on Saturday (March 3).

Fifa, the game’s world governing body, had said the video-assisted refereeing (VAR) system would be used at the Finals if approved by Ifab, but its European counterpart Uefa has said it will not be deployed in next season’s Champions League.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the final decision on using the system at the June 14-July 15 World Cup will be taken at a meeting of the Fifa Council in Bogota later in March.

“As of today, the VAR system is part of football,” he said. “We came to the conclusion that VAR is good for football and referees, it brings more fairness to the game. For these reasons, we have decided to approve it.”

Critics say VAR has led to confusion in competitions where it has been used, especially for spectators in stadiums who are often unaware that a decision is being reviewed.

The Ifab statement described the move as a “historic step for greater fairness in football.” According to Ifab protocols, VAR should be used only in four key cases: goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

A trained referee with access to a video monitor, and in constant communication with the main match official, checks all such decisions.

If a “clear and obvious” mistake is spotted, the incident can be reviewed and changed. The referee, who has access to a pitchside monitor, can also initiate a review himself.

The implementation of the VAR system has been one of Infantino’s main projects since he was elected in Feb 2016.

“I can guarantee that the referees that will be at the World Cup will be ready,” he said on Saturday.

“Regarding the flow of the game, the intervention takes around one minute. I believe that VAR at the World Cup will certainly help us to have a fairer World Cup." – REUTERS