FIFA Catches Up To Every Other Sport, Will Trial Video Refs In The A-League

The Netherlands and Mexico are tied 1-1 in injury time, at the tail-end of their World Cup knockout bout. The Dutch had come in fine form, torching their previous ’10 Final opponents Spain 5-1 days before; the Mexicans had also shown their grit, battling against contentious referee calls to finish 2nd in their strong playoff group. 

Then, it happened. Dutch winger / talisman Arjen Robben burned down the right flank and cut into the box. Rafael Márquez stubbed his toe at the ball. Robben catapulted to the ground. 

Penalty. The Dutchmen go up 2-1, hold their lead ’til the final whistle, and knock Mexico out of the tournament. 

Those are the facts; if you’re a fan of orange, it was a clear call. If you like green, it was an absolute travesty, an insult to the good game of football, and a national tragedy that resulted in a spicy, cross-cultural meme: no era penal.

This context is required to demonstrate just how subjective referee calls are at the highest echelons of football. Whereas cricket and AFL have video review systems in some shape or form, the world’s favourite sport has always eschewed video reviews. 

‘Til now. In a legitimately huge move, FIFA has confirmed they’ll be running a pilot Video Assistant Referee test in a handful of international leagues, including our own A-League. The system will be used in real-deal competitive games, allowing video boffins to evaluate the calls made – or not – by the refs and linesmen.

The test will be run “offline” for the time being, with no direct interaction between the VARs and the… regular Rs. However, their findings will be collated post-match with officials on the turf, and if it’s found the VARs’ findings differ considerably, live trials could be implemented for realsies in time for the 2016 Club World Cup. 

FFA head honcho David Gallop said “the eventual introduction of VARs will be a breakthrough for referees in game-changing moments and will greatly enhance the experience for fans and viewers.”

Which is also pretty bloody grand news for the still-hurting Mexico fans. 

Photo: Laurence Griffiths / Getty.