Local experts vouch for VAR

With football fans divided over controversial decisions involving Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, local experts, including coaches, former referees and former footballers, have backed the system as a tool to minimise on-field errors by match officials.

Beyond holders Argentina’s epic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in Tuesday’s Round of 16 encounter, global debate has intensified over VAR decisions, particularly the disallowing of Egypt’s second goal for a foul in the buildup. The decision not to award Egypt a penalty after Mohamed Salah’s fall inside Argentina’s box also raised questions.

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The experts, however, admitted that VAR decisions have not always been consistent, with outcomes varying from match to match and referee to referee.

“VAR has been such a system, having a referee within a referee, as the video assistant referee points out a mistake which goes unnoticed by the on-field referee,” said former Bangladesh international-cum-coach Shafiqul Islam Manik on Wednesday, adding that review decisions have even gone against “big and elite teams” at this World Cup.

Manik backed both VAR calls in the Argentina-Egypt match, saying the foul in the buildup to Egypt’s disallowed goal was clear in the replay, while Salah was not in control of the ball during the penalty appeal.

“I think people sympathised with Egypt, that’s why they backed Egypt regarding the VAR decision,” said Manik, while insisting that Egypt’s defeat was down to “a loss of concentration in the latter part of the game”.

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Former FIFA referee Toyeb Hasan said VAR was the result of years of research and referee training through seminars and workshops. “At the end, the referee is a human,” he said, explaining that VAR helps officials correct mistakes they may miss in real time.

Hasan believes VAR has reduced major disputes involving “send-off situations, handballs and penalty decisions”, although he acknowledged that the system remains a work in progress.

"I don't think any referee wants to throw himself into a troubled chapter of history by doing anything at his will when he is given a duty to officiate World Cup matches," Hasan added.

Former national forward and AFC A Licence coach Alfaz Ahmed believes VAR has brought greater transparency to football.

“The criticism regarding VAR decisions emerges only when the decision goes against someone, whether [the supporter] roots for a big or a small team,” said Alfaz, questioning how many fans know the exact rules of VAR.

“We are emotional people and raise questions over the decisions of the referee who stays close to the match rather than football fans.”

“Due to VAR, no team can get the advantage of scoring an offside goal or a deceived penalty,” Alfaz concluded.

While debates over individual calls are likely to continue, experts believe VAR has already become an important part of modern football despite its ongoing limitations.