VAR has had its pros and cons since being introduced to the world of football. The Bundesliga and Serie A have used the technology very well to make better decisions. However, the same cannot be said for the Premier League, with numerous questionable calls being made every week.
This season, the Champions League has introduced semi automated offside calls, which have been working very well. But marginal offside calls and controversial handball decisions remain common in the English top flight.
World Cup 2022 VAR – What are the improvements?
In the 2022 edition of the World Cup, we will see semi-automated offside decisions, much like the ones we’re seeing in the Champions League. The aim is to make games as dynamic as possible, with calls being made in under 25 seconds.
This is achieved through the match ball having a chip that allows accurate tracking of players when the pass is being played. The VAR will be consulted in four situations – goal validity, penalties, straight red cards, and player identity to ensure that the right man is booked.
The semi-automated offside technology can save valuable minutes in a match, allowing minimal stoppage. While this is only the second World Cup where VAR being used, the technology has come a long way and it could still undergo improvement with more accurate tech in the future.
