VAR NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Fifa’s head of refereeing says the muchdiscussed system still a work in progress
ST PETERSBURG
THE video assistant referee (VAR) technology being tested at the Confederations Cup in Russia should be refined, the head of refereeing at world football’s governing body Fifa said on Monday.
“In general we have really good results but for sure... many aspects should be improved,” Massimo Busacca told a news conference.
VAR involves two video assistant referees who monitor the action on screens and draw the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes.
Fifa have already said they would like to use video assistant referees at the 2018 World Cup, and football’s law-making body IFAB are expected to decide next March whether to allow them to become part of the game on a permanent basis.
But their use has caused confusion at the Confederations Cup, especially during Sunday’s match between Germany and Cameroon when on-field official Wilmar Roldan needed two reviews of an incident to send off the correct Cameroon player.
Cameroon coach Hugo Broos complained that he did not understand what was going on.
“I have to agree, it was too long... but in the end the right player was sent off,” said Busacca.
There was also controversy when a video review denied Chile a legitimate-looking goal in their 2-0 win against Cameroon on June 18, and it was used again at the end of the same match to overturn a linesman’s offside call and award Chile a goal
But the main criticisms are the time taken to make decisions and the referees’ criteria in deciding when to use the system, with some close calls being made without consulting the VARs.
Busacca accepted that reviews could take the gloss off goal celebrations.
“It can reduce at some moments the enjoyment of football because you have a celebration and then suddenly a review and you have to change — so people can have to live with this,” he said.
In 12 group stage matches at the Confederations Cup, video review helped correct six “gamechanging decisions”, Busacca said.
Match officials ruled correctly on another 29 “major incidents” with the help of the technology, he added.
“It’s important to mention today that clear mistakes were not missed,” he said.
Busacca noted that if used correctly, the system could reduce many mistakes but not eliminate them completely. Fifa were keen on convincing member federations to use video review, he added.
Meanwhile, Copa America champions Chile will try to curb Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in today’s Confederations Cup semi-final with the goal-ace in rich form despite the tax storm brewing in Spain.
The 32-year-old converted a penalty in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of New Zealand to claim his 75th international goal.
The Real Madrid forward has dazzled on the pitch in Russia, claiming man-of-the-match awards in all three games, netting two goals and providing an assist.
Ronaldo is closing in on the legendary Ferenc Puskas’ European record of 84 international goals, despite the off-field turmoil and constant speculation about his future, having threatened to quit Real.
“We all know he’s an amazing player, he’s very dangerous and can decide a game alone,” said Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz yesterday.
“The main thing is trying to stop him getting the ball and scoring.” Agencies