KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Football League (MFL) will conduct briefing sessions for all Malaysia Super League clubs to prevent conflicts regarding referees extending stoppage time due to the implementation of the mobile video assistant referee (VAR) system.
Since VAR was introduced into the world of football at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, the technology has been used in all major football leagues around the world, aiding on-field referees in making accurate decisions during crucial junctures of football matches.
The VAR team monitors the game remotely on multiple screens and has real-time access to video footage of the match through multiple camera angles.
However, referees’ on-field decisions with VAR have also been subject to scrutiny over the years, with fans and football officials questioning the need for excessive additional stoppage times, as well as decisions on fouls and offside rules.
Recently, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), which officiates the English Premier League (EPL), admitted that they have made a total of 20 wrong VAR decisions this season.
Speaking to Scoop, MFL chief executive officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said that it is the governing body’s responsibility to ensure that the VAR process goes smoothly in Malaysian football.
He also said that there is a need for clubs to comprehend the referees’ decisions since the majority of clubs will be exposed to the system for the first time.
“The briefing sessions have already begun, and a few clubs have already joined us for the sessions. We will also have a few sessions this week and the following week.
“The session is to highlight to all clubs, players, and officials, especially the operations of VAR as it will be the first time being introduced for international players.
“We want to make sure the technical aspects of implementation via the referees and also from the referees’ point of view. They need to know when the incidents and moments that the VAR will be used by the referees during a game.
“We believe that this early introduction to the clubs will help at least onboard them by the first match that they experience. A lot of the clubs are going to go through their pre-season VAR testing matches, and so far everything has been received very well by the clubs.
“I’m happy that they are open to listening to the referees’ points of view,” said Stuart when contacted.
Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur City FC’s Brendan Gan became the first footballer from the local domestic league to be penalised by match referee Zamzaidi Katimin due to VAR.
The 35-year-old national midfielder was given a straight red card in the 79th minute after a tackle on his opponent in the Federal Territories Cup final match against Negri Sembilan at the Cheras Football Stadium.
KL City won the final 2-1.
MFL has so far spent about RM5 million to RM6 million to purchase the four existing VAR systems, while the annual operations budget is estimated at between RM3.2 million and RM3.4 million.
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