In 2018, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga tournaments pioneered the use of this new technology. Champions League will also follow from season 2019-2020. “I like VAR, because referees always have to make difficult decisions. We should welcome anything that can help the referee’s job become more convenient, ”said Cristiano Ronaldo.
Thanks to VAR, MU scored the opening goal against Reading. The referee Stuart Attwell relied on the support of VAR technology to determine penalty situations for United and Juan Mata opened the scoring from a penalty of 11m.
Thanks to VAR, Brazil’s Neymar player’s scowl failed. On the contrary, it was also criticized for ignoring the mistake in the Swiss player’s goal in the Brazilian net, or when the referee does not penalize Harry Kane for being knocked down by the Tunisia defender in the penalty area.
The application of VAR in tournaments creates many different views. The contribution of technology brings more fairness and transparency in modern football, but it also changes the way fans enjoy football. In 2017, for the first time, VAR was introduced and applied in the FA Cup. It was quickly blamed for destroying a “beautiful game” by both players and management.
Many people believe that VAR ruins football, reduces the attractiveness of the match. In the original football, emotions, the drama was worth more than any other controversial technology. For example, in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, fans still remember the “Hand of God” with Diego Maradona‘s hand goal.
Meanwhile, the Argentine legend supports the use of technology to review VAR situations in football. “Such a goal will not be recognized today thanks to the technology to review the situation. Many people think that technology is annoying, wasting time. But many other sports have applied technology for a long time and benefited. Why is football impossible? “Maradona said when asked about VAR.
The Asian Football Federation (AFC) also decided to apply VAR technology to matches from the Quarter-finals at the Asian Cup continental championship. “Asian football is determined to embrace technology for the sake of football. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, we have directly seen VAR operate. Obviously, AFC needs to invest in infrastructure to ensure the system works effectively, “AFC President, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa shared on September 27.