With active guidance and support from FIFA, the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) is urgently carrying out the final steps to officially implement VAR technology in the 2023 V-League. In the initial phase, VPF will select approximately 3 to 5 matches in the 2023 V-League to conduct VAR-enabled games.

To help referees gradually get used to VAR technology, based on the current standings of the teams, VPF and the Referee Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation will coordinate to select matches that meet the criteria recommended by FIFA. It is expected that the official selection of matches to apply VAR will begin from round 3 of phase 2 of the V-League 2023.

VPF will select a number of matches in the V-League 2023 to use VAR technology. Photo: VFF

FIFA will continuously monitor and supervise the entire process of implementing VAR technology in Vietnam for the next three years. During this time, everything from operational procedures, VAR referees on duty, and the VAR vehicle's technical system must have data sent to FIFA. Any errors (if any) during this three-year monitoring period could lead to the temporary suspension of VAR implementation in matches.

To implement the VAR deployment plan, VPF, together with the VFF Referee Committee, has planned to work with V-League clubs to disseminate relevant information. On July 14th and 15th, VPF and the VFF Referee Committee held their first meeting with Viettel FC and Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC to disseminate information to players and club members. The discussions revolved around information on the operating principles and functions of VAR in matches, and what players and coaching staff are allowed and not allowed to do in matches with VAR. In the coming time, VPF and the VFF Referee Committee will continue to work with clubs competing in the 2023 V-League season.

VAR (short for Video Assistant Referee) is a form of advanced technology applied to assist referees through video. VAR technology was introduced in football to help referees make the most accurate decisions based on recorded video footage.

MINH KHANG

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