advertisement
This year’s FIFA World Cup has brought in a new dimension in the refereeing department – technology. For the first time in the tournament’s history, on-field referees are being supported by personnel outside the football field.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has caused quite a stir in the football world. While the system has successfully overturned many decisions, it has also produced some concerns for various teams.
One of 13 FIFA qualified referees, and three assistants, will monitor each of the 64 matches at the World Cup from an operations room in Moscow.
They will have access to the footage from 33 broadcast cameras, as well as two cameras dedicated to aiding offside decisions. Eight of the cameras will provide "super slow-motion" and four "ultra slow-motion" pictures.
Another dedicated camera will be installed behind each goal for the matches in the knockout stages of the tournament.
The video referee speaks to the on-field referee through an ear piece if he wants a decision reviewed during a match. And the on-field referee can also ask for a review if he is unsure about his decision.
However, only certain decisions can be reviewed.
The on-field review will take place in the following circumstances:
Too busy to read? Listen to it instead.
The referee will act on VAR advice in the following circumstances:
The Video Assistant Referee has helped in many occasions for a fair outcome in the World Cup so far.
Diego Costa's equaliser for Spain against Portugal was the first time a World Cup goal was awarded after a review from the video assistant referee (VAR). The striker's goal was allowed to stand despite a collision with defender Pepe. Costa ran into the Portuguese centre back in the build-up to his equaliser in the 24th minute to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo's fourth minute penalty. Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi gave the goal after consulting the VAR team.
The Video Assistant Review confirmed that both the players had caught each other’s shirts, therefore there was no penalty given.
During the match between Peru and France, the referee was going to give a yellow card to the wrong player. VAR spoke to the on-field referee and ensured that the right player Pedro Aquino is given the yellow card.
While the match between Morocco and Portugal, defender Pepe fell on the ground, when Morocco’s captain Medhi Benatia tapped his shoulder to get his attention. Both were away from the ball. VAR should have picked it up and punished Pepe for acting.
During the match between England and Tunisia, Harry Kane was put down to the ground many times by Tunisian players when corners were being taken. The video referee should have instructed the on-field referee to award at least one penalty.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz criticised the video assistant referee (VAR) system and said it has left many fans sitting in the stands scratching their heads about what was going on. Since the fans cannot see what the VAR is analysing while making a decision.
While Peru’s coach Ricardo Gareca said that human error is one of football's charms and that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was a useful solution but not the perfect one.
(With inputs from Reuters)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)