V.League’s VAR plans held back by FIFA

The video assistant referee (VAR) will not be used in the V.League 1 this season because of a FIFA rule change.
V.League’s VAR plans held back by FIFA ảnh 1Hoang Vu Samson of Quang Nam (left) vies for a ball against Nguyen Huu Tuan of HCM City during their V.League 1 match on August 10. (Photo: VPF)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The video assistant referee (VAR) will not be usedin the V.League 1 this season because of a FIFA rule change.

Early this year, Tran Anh Tu, chairman of the Vietnam Professional Football(VPF) company's board of directors, announced the technology would be used in Vietnamto ensure the fairness of matches, especially towards the end of the season.

However Tu recently confirmed that VAR application will be delayed despite manycomplaints about the quality of referees and, at times, their controversialdecisions.

“It is because FIFA has changed their policies of supervision, management andlicense for the use of VAR,” said Tu.

“Previously we just had to work with FIFA’s recognised partners for applying,then FIFA will come to take over. Now, they will take charge from thebeginning. Recently Thailand and Indonesia also paused using VAR as FIFA wantedto re-evaluate it,” he said.

According to Tu, Thai football officials told him about many problems whenusing VAR, as teams demanded VAR reviews for many decisions, holding up play.

“VAR equipment has been ready in Vietnam. We're just waiting for FIFA’sapproval.” he said.

However, Vietnam’s VAR officials have not been trained on the new technology.

The national premier league is close to the end, with only six rounds offixtures left.

Defending champions Hanoi FC are on top with 40 points, with Ho Chi Minh Cityand Quang Ninh in second and third, respectively.

The VPF, which manages local tournaments, plans to invite foreign referees toofficiate the last two rounds of fixtures in October. - VNS/VNA
VNA

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