Video Assistant Referee (VAR) makes match debut in Melbourne
2017-04 After successfully completing tests of the new technology at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in 2016, Melbourne, Australia has been once more the stage to implement sports technology at the highest competitive level.
Football technology
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and the world governing body for Football, FIFA, had selected the A-League match between Melbourne City and Adelaide United (end result 1:0) played at Melbourne’s AAMI Park for the official debut in a top-level domestic league. The infrastructure included a VAR review station on the sideline and the VAR control room, which were setup for Friday night’s game between the two sides.
As per guidelines, the match officials were able to call on video for assistance only when reviewing match-changing decisions:- Goal scored – Revision of potential infringements of the Laws of the Game in the build-up to a goal, including offside, foul, hand ball or any other relevant infringements or offences
- Penalty decision – Revision of potential infringements of the Laws of the Game within or near the penalty area, resulting in a (potential) penalty kick, or in case a penalty kick has been awarded incorrectly
- Direct red-card incident – Revision of potential infringements of the Laws of the Game resulting in a (direct) red card
- Mistaken identity
Additional information
If your are looking to understand how technology is being deployed to assist in umpiring, sports performance analysis and media, please contact chemneera.
