Overview of Video Arbitration Technology Operation (VAR) of the 2018 World Cup

This article examines Overview of Video Arbitration Technology Operation (VAR) of the 2018 World Cup. It presents the main facts, practical implications, and key points in a clearer, easier-to-follow format.

Understanding Overview of Video Arbitration Technology Operation (VAR) of the 2018

The 2018 World Cup in Russia was the first time in FIFA history to put VAR into use. Previously, this technology has appeared in the Italian Serie A and German Bundesliga.

This technology will help at key in making accurate decisions for situations, in case of the level of penalty cards, penalties, goals of controversy in the match.

The 13-person VAR assistant arbitration team, their mission is to make the main decision after reviewing the video from the cameras. To be able to shoulder the responsibility in parallel with the pitcher in the yard, they have to undergo examination of experience, skill of tracking, judging and processing video of FIFA.

VAR referees will work in 2 showrooms located in a separate place in the capital Moscow (Russia). A match will have 4 people working together in the room including: arbitration judge, video processing executive and assistant. The total number of screens in the room is 15, with 33 camera angles installed around the yard.

Each situation on the pitch will have a separate person handle to avoid confusion. For example, collisions and offside are clearly divided for each person, not together. The contact and transfer of the decision to everyone on the field is the main referee in the VAR team. All the staff of the camera assistant team are men.

The main referee on the field will make a rectangular screen gesture to signal the contact department when VAR intervention is needed. This is the official move according to FIFA regulations.

In addition, referees often place their hands near the headphones when they need help from VAR, but this is just a habit of behavior rather than FIFA rules.

Upon receiving the request, the VAR arbitration team will collect slow-motion video footage, then transmit the signal directly to a screen on the pitch. The arbitration team will see and make a decision.

The tape recorded a close-up of the controversial situation that lasted only 10 - 20 seconds, so the review process of the pitch referees would only take about 1 minute.

The entire video recorded the controversial situation and the scene of the remote VAR room was also projected on the big screen in the stands so that the audience could watch, avoiding questions and conflicts.

Therefore, every goal or error of penalty is 100% transparent.