The introduction of the video system is already being used in Europe’s top five leagues but why is Africa yet to fully implement the initiative?
The first time the Video Assistant Referee system was put on trial across Europe was in July 2016, during a friendly match pitting PSV and FC Eindhoven.
The VAR is a match official, who reviews decisions made by the head referee with the use of video footage and headset for communication in order to try and reduce human errors causing substantial influence on match results.
The VAR team, stationed in the video operation room automatically checks every on-field referee decision falling under the four reviewable categories and if the VAR does not identify any mistake during the check, this is communicated to the referee.