VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREES (VAR)

As many things go with life, technology finds a way to sneak in and become a dependable source of information and security in today's world. But is to much tech really a good thing? In today's soccer news, FIFA has begun using something called VAR, or video assistant referees during games. And it does exactly what the name references, it is a digital referee to help make those life-changing decisions.

On March 3, 2018, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is essentially the top rule-making body for global soccer, wrote VAR into the laws of the game.

Photo was provided by https://football-technology.fifa.com/en/media-tiles/video-assistant-referee-var/ When is VAR used? There are four incidents where VAR is used and has proven to be useful in most situations.

1. Goals - Using VAR can assist referees to determine whether or not a goal should be awarded.

2. Penalty Decisions - The role of VAR is to ensure that no wrong decision was made in conjunction with the award or non-award of a penalty kick.

3. Direct Red Card Incidents - VAR will make sure that no wrong decision was made with sending off or not sending off a player.

4. Mistaken Identity - VAR will help the referee that the right player should (or should not be) disciplined.

How does video assistant referee (VAR) work?

1. Incident Occurs - When an incident occurs on the field, the referee can refer to VAR that the situation should be reviewed.

2. Review and Advice by VAR - The footage is then reviewed by VAR, who then advises the referee via headset what he/she should do.

3. Decision or Action is Taken - The referee can review VAR's advice and decide on the appropriate action to take.

What are people's thoughts to VAR?

VAR has caused quite the controversy, especially in the women's cup. Back in December, FIFA announced the list of referees and assistant referees, but made no mention of the digital helpers. Then, in March, FIFA approved the use of VAR, giving less than three months to the women's teams to play under VAR and get used to the new equipment before the biggest and most important soccer tournament.

Three months later, and just six days before the start of the Women's World Cup, IFAB announced a new rule that mandates that goalkeepers must have at least part of one foot on the goal line, instead of both feet, when the opponent takes a penalty shot. Man, talk about late notice. In theory, this new rule offers more flexibility for keepers. But let's be real, introducing so close to the World Cup and using VAR strictly isn't very fair for the women teams.

There are multiple accounts of how VAR isn't helping the soccer community. One incident is against the Scottish team. Goalkeeper Lee Alexander saved a penalty shot from Florencia Bonseguendo of Argentina, but VAR determined that Alexander was a few inches off her line before the shot was taken. Bonsegundo scored on the retake, so it sent Scotland back home.

There are many more incidents where fans, coaches, and players are not enjoying the new tech brought into their favorite game. A quick google search can even show you multiple articles that put down VAR's intervention. While the men's teams seem to have more success with it, they had a much easier time getting used to it. The women's teams only had a few days to learn the new rules and be ready for a new set of eyes on them, critiquing their every moves. Will this hurt the women's teams in the future? Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts to VAR? Or in general, what technology can bring us, as it is more and more commonly accepted in our daily lives. #soccer #football #VAR #womensworldcup #fifa #ifab #soccerblog #blogging