FAM mull use of video refs

THE video assistant referee (VAR) technology could be implemented in the M-League soon.

FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim will disclose details over its implementation based on a report by former Fifa referee Subkhiddin Salleh, who was sent to Italy recently to learn about latest technologies in football, in Johor Baru today.

“The VAR system is expensive and we have no money right now but its implementation here is still possible. Subkhiddin informed me that we need three or four months to get familiarised with the system,” said Tunku Ismail in a meet-the-media session in Johor Baru last week.

Subkhiddin was in Italy not only to review the VAR technology but also to learn about the concept of professional referees.

There has been talk to hire professional referees from Japan to officiate key matches in the MLeague since last year but it has yet to be implemented.

National Coaches Association of Malaysia president B. Sathianathan said the VAR system will assist referees make right decisions.

“It will elevate the standard of refereeing in the country. However, I think it will be a challenge to have the technology installed at all venues in the country as it is expensive,” said Sathianathan.

The technology has been approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmakers, and there is a possibility that it will be implemented in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It was tried out for the first time by Fifa at last year’s Club World Cup in Japan. Ajitpal Singh