X

WORLD FOOTBALL

VAR Approved on Permanent Basis by IFAB, Paves Way for Use at 2018 World Cup

Matt JonesFeatured ColumnistMarch 3, 2018

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ahead of the English League Cup semifinal first leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

The International Football Association Board confirmed on Saturday that it has "unanimously approved" the introduction of Video Assistant Referees in the game, paving the way for its use at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the summer.

After a summit on Saturday in Zurich, it was confirmed in a statement on the IFAB website that the laws of the game will be amended to accommodate the technology that the organisation believes will have "minimum interference" and "maximum benefit."

BBC Sport's Richard Conway relayed quotes from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that suggest VAR will almost certainly be in place at the World Cup in Russia:

Richard Conway @richard_conway

Fifa president confirms decision on VAR at the Russia World Cup "will be taken at next Fifa Council meeting on March 16 in Bogota.” Says he expects favourable decision. VAR will be at the World Cup, subject to this rubberstamp.

The system has already been in use this season in Serie A and the Bundesliga, while it's also been confirmed that Ligue 1 will have VAR from 2018-19.

Conway offered an update on what this announcement means for the Premier League and potential implementation:

Richard Conway @richard_conway

As for the Premier League? Discussion / vote later this season but I understand several clubs remain wary and therefore the League may opt to wait until 2019 at the earliest before adopting VAR.

VAR Approved on Permanent Basis by IFAB, Paves Way for Use at 2018 World Cup
Video Play Button
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon

In a separate report, Conway added that UEFA have already made it clear VAR will not be used in the Champions League next season.

The process was present in selected matches in the League Cup and the FA Cup in English football this season, although it's not enjoyed the most straightforward of implementations.

Indeed, on Wednesday in the FA Cup clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Rochdale, supporters were left confused as a number of decisions were assessed by the video referee. Afterwards, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino described VAR as "embarrassing."

In the FA Cup match between Manchester United and Huddersfield Town, the system was derided by fans and pundits alike again, when this image appeared on screen having been used to rule out Juan Mata's goal, per Alex Shaw of ESPN:

Alex Shaw @AlexShawESPN

To recap then: A perfectly good goal was scored, an age was taken to see what happened, the footage shows he's onside, someone added bent lines for no real reason and then the wrong decision was made. A farce. https://t.co/adANQSg5LY

As the Guardian's Martha Kelner noted, there was a sense of irony about the timing of this announcement too:

Martha Kelner @marthakelner

At Fifa headquarters in Zurich where the decision on VAR use is delayed, somewhat ironically.

It does appear as though VAR is here to stay, though, and the full inclusion of the system across all of Europe's biggest leagues doesn't feel too far away.

The World Cup will provide a forensic examination of the process. There have been major teething problems in numerous competitions accommodating VAR, although the biggest priority prior to Russia will be to find a way of letting supporters inside the stadium know what's going on.

B/R Recommends