How will VAR affect the beautiful game?

Photo credit: ProReferees.com

With the MLS break now over, the conversation of the incorporation of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) into the game continues to heat up. With both Major League Soccer and the Bundesliga looking to incorporate VAR, it’ll be interesting to look at exactly what the technology is and what it brings to, or detracts from, the game.

WHAT IS VAR?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) defines VAR as “an association football assistant referee that reviews decisions made by the head referee with the use of video footage and a headset for communication.”

The four call types that can and will be reviewed by the VAR are:

1. Goals
2. Penalties
3. Red cards
4. Possible mistaken identity

While all four of these situations already pause or halt the flow and pace of a game, many critics say that VAR will create issues that will further affect the flow and pace. They aren’t wrong; in the Confederations Cup earlier this year, the calls were a distraction and referees seemed confused as to exactly when to utilize the technology. Some chose to overuse it, while others chose to ignore it when it could’ve been helpful.

MLS sparingly trialed it during the preseason, and the USL has worked it into games here and there. One must consider whether the upper levels of the game are the best place to introduce VAR.

VAR USE

Would it not make more sense to start the use and training of the technology at lower leagues? One of the largest issues seems to be the comfort that current referees have with the option. If VAR were to be initially implemented and fully utilized at lower levels, then VAR would become part of a referee’s early experience in the position.

To force established referees with many years of experience to learn the technology while officiating the highest levels of play seems to not be the best way to incorporate its use. This is not to say that experienced professional referees shouldn’t be required to adapt. A better approach, perhaps, may be for them to come down to a lesser league to get used to the technology, then return to their higher league with an understanding of what’s required.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be introduced in @MLS beginning Aug. 5. Here’s what you need to know.

➡️ https://t.co/3MXitT4ATQ pic.twitter.com/Rbfqfoboel

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 21, 2017

Today, even the lowest developmental leagues seem to broadcast their games in some manner. As the video component is already present, incorporating VAR would be easy with some sponsorship from FIFA or a country’s top flight. This would be similar to how lower-level baseball leagues trial or adopt new rules in advance of Major League Baseball. It creates a forum for officials to experiment with the technology — without making the top-tier league the guinea pig and trickling down the changes. All adjustments to the game should come from the lower levels up, both for players and referees. This mimics the natural progression of both the sport and learning.

If younger referees are allowed to move up through the ranks with VAR installed at all stops, it would enable them to continue to learn precisely when to use the service to best support the game and supplement their judgement. Allowing a referee to get their 10,000 hours of mastery, engaged with VAR from early on, makes much more sense than expecting them to step to the highest level of performance before introducing a tool they’re not completely familiar with. This was obvious during the Confederations Cup, and will more than likely be apparent during the second half of the MLS season and all of the Bundesliga campaign. It will improve as referees become suited to the tools at their disposal and better understand when to implement them.

PATIENCE

Until referees familiarize themselves with VAR, its implementation will require plenty of patience — from fans, players, coaches and even referees. There will be some stumbles, missteps and mistakes, but referees will learn. There will be pauses, uncertainty and frustration.

Players constantly surround referees on controversial calls, expecting referees to reverse calls on something they, and possibly their assistants, didn’t see. VAR adds a dimension that gives a head referee someone that can look back, possibly at a better angle, and make the proper call. It seems, though, that the same player demanding better calls is the first to rush the referee wanting an immediate change with no review.

Coaches also rush to judgment on referees’ decisions mid-game, but most coaches’ judgments are based on multiple replays after the luxury of time. For coaches, patience for these calls to be reviewed mid-game becomes a must to ensure the right call is made. And for even the most skilled referees, patience will be necessary to understand how to fit VAR into their match calling. They’ll need to learn to walk the line between rushing to make every call reviewed by VAR, and completely avoiding the use of it as they don’t see fit to be overruled.

With the World Cup including it in 2018 and many more leagues looking to adopt the functionality, VAR is quickly becoming a part of the game of soccer and won’t be leaving anytime soon. As such, it should be embraced — despite some possible bumps in the road — as a much needed facet to an ever-evolving game.

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You can follow Jeff on Twitter: @jkuhns1.

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