SA refs salute VAR system
More penalties given via video call
Former PSL referee and now video assistant referee (VAR) instructor Jerome Damon says people should be patient with the system.
Damon spoke to Sowetan yesterday amid criticism of the VAR at the World Cup in Russia. It is the first time that a video review is used at the global showpiece.
“It definitely works and the decisions are being made,” said Damon, who was refereeing in the PSL from the 1996/97 season until his retirement in 2014.
The VAR only intervenes in the course of a match when the officials have made a “clear and obvious error” in one of the four key areas – goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.
One of the contentious issues is the giving away of “soft” spot kicks.
Five of the 11 penalties have been given using VAR at the time of going to print.
“If a referee didn’t make a clear and obvious mistake, then they won’t intervene,” Damon said.
“I’m tired of people blaming a referee for a genuine human mistake.
“The system is designed to limit the clear and obvious howlers. It’s not to eliminate all the errors but the clear and obvious ones.”
PSL referee Victor Hlungwani said he’s been watching the tournament with keen interest, especially the impact of the VAR.
“If the VAR comes to Africa, we will know a few things already. Fortunately, Fifa has already sent us documentation and I’m familiarising myself with it,” said Hlungwani.
Others that have been trained on the system include assistant referee Zakhele Siwela, who is SA’s sole representative at the World Cup.