Should VAR be used in the 2018 World Cup?

With questions being raised on the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system every now and then, the technology could prove to be tricky in the upcoming 2018 World Cup.

VAR is a technology introduced in football to curb the mistakes made by the on-field officials. At times, the decisions made by the referee have proven to be game changers and are bemoaned by the managers and players. With the introduction of VAR, FIFA plans to eradicate this criticism from the game.

The system is in its trial stages in many of the major football leagues. It comes into play during the following four instances in the game:

1. Goals
2. Penalties
3. Straight red cards
4. Mistaken identity

Under any of these situations, VAR is called upon. The situation is analysed by the VAR officials who communicate the information to the on-field referee. The main referee can then change his decision or stick to it - or he may even refer the situation himself on a TV screen set up on the sidelines. The ultimate power lies in the hands of the on-field referee only.

Besides, the VAR is designed to intervene only in cases of clear or obvious errors made by the on-field referee, as per FIFA rules.

VAR in Top Leagues

VAR in action during Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup

VAR has been trialled in many of the major leagues across the globe. It was first introduced in the MLS of the USA. Since then, VAR has been on the rise in many of Europe's top leagues.

These days it is being extensively used in leagues such as the German Bundesliga, the Italian Serie A, the Primeira Liga from Portugal and many more. In Spain, La Liga has confirmed that it will be using this technology for the next season.

A decision over VAR is on hold for the English Premiere League, but the technology is being tested in other domestic competitions across England.

Criticism regarding VAR

In recent months, VAR has come under the spotlight during many instances, and not for good reasons. This has led to questions being raised over the necessity of using it.

Referee using the TV referral

One of the major controversies regarding VAR is that it destroys the momentum of the beautiful game. The intervention of VAR every now and then leads to unnecessary stoppages being introduced in the game.

When the technology was used for the first time in the Bundesliga, it resulted in a total of 12 interruptions during the match. Situations involving the fans cancelling their celebrations on account of the goal being ruled out by VAR could also risk in a loss of atmosphere at the stadium.

Also, when a decision is being referred, the fans have no idea about the happenings on the pitch until the referee indicates the usage of VAR by their hands. It leaves the fans clueless.

VAR intervenes in the scenario of an unnoticed foul during the build-up to a goal. But no explanation is provided as to what the starting point of "build-up" is.

For example; in the FA cup tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Rochdale, Erik Lamela's goal was cancelled out because his team-mate Fernando Llorente seemed to have fouled a Rochdale player during the build-up to the goal, as seen by VAR.

Lamela's goal disallowed by VAR during an F.A cup matchVAR is said to assist on occasions of a wrong decision over a straight red card. But no provision exists if the mistake is made in granting a second yellow.

In a recent game between Hamburg and Stuttgart, Dzenis Burnic was shown a second yellow card early in the game for an illegal challenge on an opposition player. Replays showed that Burnic's challenge was not even a foul but VAR couldn't intervene unless the decision concerned a straight red card.

So the verdict was forced to remain unchanged and Burnic eventually had to leave the field when he should have stayed on.

In an FA cup game where Manchester United played Huddersfield Town, Juan Mata's goal was disallowed by VAR on account of his kneecap being in an offside position. However, the original rules of the technology mention that VAR only takes action in case of "obvious" errors.

Talking about that particular decision, Jose Mourinho said that VAR went against the original protocol.

Thank you @btsportfootball much better, Mata’s knee offside... just... #VAR pic.twitter.com/ftRgMxfSCJ

— Ollie Glanvill (@OllieGlanvill) February 17, 2018

The brighter side

Despite all the allegations, justice is the usual outcome of VAR. Instances of referees creating huge blunders and changing the end result of the game have been witnessed in the past and the present.

That is when VAR could come to the rescue. The constant post-match criticisms by managers and displeasure among the fans over the referee's decisions could come to an end and that could be seen as a plus point of the technology.

In a match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League, VAR correctly identified a deliberate handball in the box which resulted in a penalty being awarded to Sydney.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching and FIFA has plans to give an official debut to the VAR in the World Cup. While Goal Line Technology proved to be a big success, the success of VAR could be under the microscope if it is used at the tournament.