Locals say VAR among highlights of World Cup Russia

A LOT can be said of the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, which saw France lifting its second golden trophy with a 4-2 outsmarting of Croatia.

But one of the things that will surely be part of many discussions is the Video Assistant Referees or the VAR.

The VAR had a hand in France’s second goal as upon consultation, Ivan Perisic was called for a handball, which resulted to a penalty kick converted by Antoine Griezmann that put the Les Bleus ahead once again, 2-1.

“The VAR is an instrument that is appreciated only upon the decision of the referee to use or not use in making a decision. In the end, it helps him see it clearly whether a call is justified or not,” said Jose Ariston Caslib, the technical director of the Philippine Football Federation.

Cebu Football Association (CFA) vice president Rico Navarro, for his part, said that the VAR was useful and lamented why football has only used it now.

“The use of technology is something that sports has to embrace. Ironically, football was the last to use this. Basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis all use video as an aid to help assess situations, but only in specific scenarios,” Navarro said.

For CFA board member Nimrod Quiñones, the VAR puts the players in check and raised the standards of the sport.

“It (VAR) helped in officiating. Players could not easily get away with fouls. The VAR definitely raised the standards of football,” Quiñones explained.

Match assessor Archie Reyes agreed saying that the “VAR implementation is the best thing for this world cup.” He added that it has been in proposal since 2015, then went on experimental stage in 2016. In this World Cup, the VAR helped minimize controversial calls especially during penalty situations, said Reyes, adding that through the use of VAR, the referees were able to communicate through their lapels and support the referees’ decisions.

But Leylam FC head coach Oliver Colina said that VAR has its pros and cons.

“There’s an advantage and there is also a disadvantage but overall we have to adapt the technology,” he said.