This article explores VAR – what it is, why it was introduced, how clubs prepared, and its potential benefits and challenges as the technology beds in
What is VAR and How Does it Work?
Firstly, let’s break it down simply. VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee – referring to an additional referee who reviews video footage of key situations and incidents during a football match to support the head referee’s decision-making.
The VAR referee is situated away from the pitch in a video operation room, with access to multiple camera angles and slow motion replays. The VAR has a communications link to the referee on the pitch via a headset.
The key situations that VAR can review include goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken player identity. So if there is a dubious goal, penalty appeal or red card decision, the referee can choose to review the incident himself on a sideline monitor or directly take advice from the VAR referee who has analyzed the footage.
The aim is to provide the on-pitch referee with the best angles and evidence to make the right call – avoiding clear and obvious mistakes that can turn games. Mistakes can occur at any given point of time while you engage in any kind of games, whether you are playing roulette online or simply a game of chess. Mistakes are part and parcel of the game especially during a high octane event like football.
The referee always has the final say. VAR does not take away the decision making from the man in the middle – it just offers a safety net when significant moments are missed.
Why Was VAR Introduced in the EFL?
VAR in the Premier League was very much a divisive move. But after seeing its implementation, the EFL decided it was ready to adopt video technology too for the 2020/21 season.
EFL Chief Executive David Baldwin explained it had been a “long-term ambition” to bring VAR to the 72 clubs. The EFL sees VAR as a logical way to improve the accuracy of major decisions, providing a fairer platform for clubs to compete.
Many managers and players had also been calling for VAR to aid referees and eliminate game-changing errors. The system is designed to especially help on crucial judgment calls that happen too fast for the human eye.
How Was VAR Implementation Funded?
A major stumbling block was always the cost of implementing such technology across multiple stadiums and training hundreds of video officials. It was estimated it would cost around £6-7 million to roll-out VAR across all EFL divisions.
The EFL therefore turned to Hawk-Eye Innovations, a technology company owned by Sony, to fund the project. Hawk-Eye agreed to front the cost of installing VAR in all Championship clubs for 2020/21. The EFL will then fund the future roll-out to League One and Two, helped by the fees generated from VAR in the second tier.
This allowed the EFL to overcome financial barriers and accelerate VAR adoption. It was trialed successfully during selected fixtures last season, giving the league confidence in the system.
What Was Involved in Getting Clubs VAR Ready?
In preparation for the 2020/21 introduction, all 24 Championship clubs had to undergo a VAR implementation programme over the summer. This involved working closely with the EFL and Hawk-Eye to install the required technology and infrastructure.
Each club had to set up a Video Operation Room (VOR) – a dedicated room housing the screens and tech needed for VAR officials to analyze matches. New camera positions were mapped out in stadiums to capture all the necessary angles.
Dedicated fiber lines and communications links had to be laid for the VAR officials to instantly relay information to the on-pitch referee. Big screens also had to be optimized to show VAR review footage to fans during games.
Match officials and club staff underwent VAR training too on how to work with the new review process. By the opening fixtures, it was all systems go for VAR across the Championship in a project being closely watched by the whole football league.
The Benefits of VAR for the EFL
While VAR has plenty of critics, the EFL believes the benefits outweigh any downsides – especially when implemented effectively. Here are some of the big plus points:
More correct decisions – VAR should eliminate obvious refereeing mistakes and ensure fairness.
Justice for game-changing moments – marginal calls often determine outcomes, so VAR provides reassurance.
Fewer protests and disputes – controversial calls spark emotions, VAR allows the referee to review and clarify decisions.
Aid referee performance – officials have a safety net to check decisions without interrupting flow.
Encourage better discipline – players may curb dangerous play or diving knowing VAR is watching.
Equip referees for the modern game – matches are faster and more intense than ever.
Of course, the EFL acknowledges VAR must be used efficiently. Delays and overuse would disrupt the flow of matches. But applied wisely, it should remove glaring errors without constantly intervening.
Teething Problems and Fine-Tuning
Implementing any new technology on such a large scale inevitably brings challenges. UEFA’s European Championships in 2021 saw some high-profile VAR controversies. However, the EFL aims to learn from mistakes made elsewhere to maximize VAR’s potential.
Some key learnings include ensuring VAR officials intervene on only clear and obvious errors. Keeping high decision thresholds, minimizes disruption. The EFL also wants to improve broadcaster feeds to fans to showcase VAR reviews clearly.
There are plans to evolve communication between referees and VARs too – so conversations are sharp and condensed. The aim is to make reviews discreet, accurate and fast. EFL officials know the system will require fine-tuning and patience as clubs adjust.
How VAR Can Positively Impact EFL Clubs
From unjust relegations to play-off dreams dashed, EFL clubs have all been stung by costly refereeing mistakes over the years. VAR aims to provide a safety blanket and reassurance that the right decisions will be reached when it truly matters.
Of course, not everyone will be satisfied by VAR verdicts. But the technology should deliver more fairness and justice over a season. With fine-margins often deciding promotion, play-off places or survival, VAR’s capacity to overturn incorrect pivotal decisions can positively shape a club’s destiny.
Players and coaches may privately question decisions – but they’ll surely sleep easier knowing VAR is reviewing the biggest calls. The EFL believes VAR will add value rather than detract from football. Like other sports that use video reviews, fans will see fairness should prevail more often over the long-term.
The Road Ahead – Bedding in VAR Across the EFL
VAR’s debut EFL season is sure to provide great learnings about maximizing its effectiveness and ironing out problems. As the technology beds in over the coming years, VAR should become a welcome aid to referees rather than a disruptive hindrance.
It will be interesting to see if VAR results in greater accuracy straight away or if a learning curve is required. But the desire is there from the EFL and clubs to optimize video review technology for the good of English league football.
Once implemented smartly across all three divisions, VAR has the potential to polish the EFL’s reputation for transparency, competitiveness and entertainment. The aim is to eliminate the weekly post-match debates about big refereeing decisions – and instead see VAR embraced as a progressive way to protect the game’s integrity.
While there will always be some reluctance to change, VAR seems here to stay. The EFL feels it has the right motives and vision to make this work – delivering a positive officiating model for the future that balances accuracy with the human nature of football. Small tweaks rather than major surgery will likely perfect the system over time.
So as another EFL season kicks off, VAR is sure to play a huge role in the stories that unfold over the coming nine months. And love it or hate it, we must accept video review technology is the new reality. The VAR revolution has arrived.
