Women’s referees training for video review

System was used in men’s tournament for first time in 2018

Women’s World Cup referees are undergoing training with VARs over the next two weeks, The Associated Press has learned, paving the way for the FIFA council to approve the use of video reviews at the tournament in France.

FIFA has faced criticism for not announcing yet that video assistant referees will be used at the June 7 to July 7 Women’s World Cup just as they were for the men’s tournament for the first time in Russia last year.

Jill Ellis, coach of the United States women’s team, has said it would be “insulting” if female players didn’t have an equal right to have decisions reviewed by video at their biggest tournament.

But the previously unannounced training with VARs in seminars and matches in Qatar ensures the 27 referees and 47 assistant referees will gain the necessary experience that allows FIFA executives at a meeting in Miami in March to approve the use of the technology for the World Cup.

“The final decision if VAR will be used at the Women’s World Cup will be taken by the FIFA council,” FIFA told The Associated Press on Monday.

While the referees and their assistants are women, most of the VARs are men, with some having gained experienced at the World Cup in Russia. When FIFA announced the appointment of referees for the Women’s World Cup, there was no mention of VAR.