After a trial period, VAR (video assistant referee) was put into official service during the 2023-2024 V. League season. In the season opener last weekend, four matches used the technology. Referees have reviewed many plays on VAR before making game-changing decisions, such as giving penalties or red cards.
Ha said without VAR, it would have been difficult for referees to make the right decisions on penalties, including the one given to Nam Dinh in stoppage time in the match against Quang Nam. After the match, Quang Nam coach Van Sy Son showed his support for VAR, even though his team lost due to the late penalty.
“VAR was doing its job well,” said Ha VnExpress Monday. “The referees, with the support of VAR, made the right decisions to make the matches fair. This is good for Vietnamese football.”
What people weren’t happy with about VAR was the weather. Officials often take a long time to review plays before making decisions, and some even take five minutes to review them when FIFA’s recommendation is less than three minutes.
But Ha thinks it’s not a problem. “For me, accuracy is more important than time,” he said.
The VFF referee chief also added that the number of cameras used for VAR in the V. League is eight, which is four less than South Korea’s K-League 1 and far less than the top leagues of Europe.
For this reason, a replay may not have the best angle and the referees will likely take longer to decide. Additionally, VAR is a new feature, so referees will need time to use it effectively.
“Everything takes time. I hope everyone will see the positive side of VAR and support it,” Ha said.
HCMC FC coach Vu Tien Thanh was not happy to learn that the match between his team and Khanh Hoa FC would not have access to VAR. A representative from Vietnam Professional Football JSC (VPF) explained that there were currently two VAR vans, so there were transportation difficulties between venues.
VPF is expected to have two additional vans provided by FIFA for all matches.
“We try to use VAR to ensure fairness in the league. However, current conditions do not allow it to be applied in all matches,” said the VPF representative, adding that VAR in V. League is also under the supervision of FIFA and use for any match would require approval.
VPF is also considering hiring foreign referees for important matches that do not have access to VAR.
