Ten days after the end of the third training session from June 8 to 18 - the final training course in the mandatory training steps for VAR referees with exercises of increasing difficulty, FIFA officially sent a letter confirming that the trainees of the first VAR training course in Vietnam (including referees, assistant referees and VAR technical staff) all met the requirements and were approved to operate VAR technology.

"The final assessment of the referee has been successful and from now on, Vietnam Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) is approved to use VAR technology in its matches in accordance with FIFA's VAR referee standards," an email announcement from FIFA confirmed.

18 referees and assistant referees complete the first VAR training course in Vietnam. Photo: VPF

FIFA also gave VPF recommendations on selecting matches to apply VAR in the initial stages of operation. Accordingly, it should not be applied immediately to tense matches, championship ranking or promotion and relegation, but should be chosen in normal matches so that the referee team can gradually get used to it. In some of the first matches to apply VAR technology, FIFA will send a VAR assistant referee to work to supervise and support VAR operations in official matches.

In addition, FIFA also requested VPF to organize work with Clubs to disseminate the process of using VAR, work with Match Supervisors and television partners on the coordination process in matches using VAR technology. In the initial stage, FIFA has not required all matches in a tournament to apply VAR technology, however, FIFA has also requested VPF to plan to continue to conduct further VAR referee training courses and develop a plan to apply VAR technology in all matches in the coming time.

The first VAR training program in Vietnam lasted 3 sessions. The third session was the final training phase with the highest level of difficulty. FIFA sent people to inspect all operating equipment of the 2 VAR cars. FIFA experts assessed that the technical and technological factors of the 2 VAR cars met the standards.

MINH KHANG