Author: Craig Gill

Since its introduction by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018, the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the higher levels of professional football has been met with varying degrees of acceptance, reluctance, disappointment or despair across the game globally.

The original intention was, of course, to assist match referees in their decision making but only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or a ‘serious missed incident’. These events or incidents only include Goal/no goal; Penalty/no penalty; Direct red card (not a second yellow card or caution); and Mistaken Identity (if a
referee cautions or sends off the wrong player).

It is important to note that VAR decisions are made by appropriately qualified match officials who are watching the game via live broadcast in an isolated room in a central location far from the match venue. This removes any emotional context from any decision by VAR that the actual match referee might be experiencing from either or both sets of supporters in the actual stadium.

The actual definition of ‘clear and obvious error’ might be a major point for discussion simply because many of the decisions that are scrutinised often seem much less clear and certainly not obvious, despite the use of video examination which is often slowed to less than match speed without giving obvious conclusions to aid the referee in his initial verdict. Often, VAR recommendations are made to the match official that are unobvious to the naked eye when viewing at ground level in the heat of the contest.

For all those invested in a particular game, the sheer elation of a goal being scored, and subsequent celebrations, can often be muted as the decision is mooted by VAR and the match referee. More importantly, games (and associated league points) have been won or lost by decisions that have later been adjudged, after great scrutiny, to be blatantly incorrect.

Given the seemingly current disappointment with VAR from many aspects of the game’s shareholders (e.g. players, coaches, spectators), there appears to be three options available to IFAB with regards to the future of VAR:

‘Play On’ – IFAB continue with VAR in its existing format; it may not be perfect, but it gets more decisions right than not and more than assists a referee to make more accurate decisions than would occur without VAR intervention.

‘Yellow Card’ – IFAB proceed with caution and with considered amendments to the current VAR model. It could perhaps allow spectators, players and technical staff the opportunity to hear the discussions between the match referee and the remote VAR (as in Rugby Union) to potentially better understand the mechanics behind each decision referred to or taken up by VAR.

Perhaps the VAR model could also be enhanced with the inclusion of a former professional player on the VAR panel who has appropriate experience of playing at the respective level of the game at the highest level of domestic or international football depending upon the type of game being observed. The inclusion of a former player may add an additional dimension to the decision-making process by giving a player’s perspective of any given situation outwith the laws of the game (e.g. the timing of a challenge, malicious intent, intrinsic or extrinsic factors affecting the player’s actions).

‘Red Card’ – IFAB negate the use of VAR completely and return to the historical methods of trusting the match officials, managed by the referee, to come to their decisions without the need or assistance of an external influence.

These options are no doubt discussed on a regular basis by IFAB as they seek the most efficient and accurate methods by which to effectively manage and officiate each game involving VAR. In so doing, they hold the key to making the Beautiful Game an even more enjoyable experience.

What would be your preferred course of action regarding the future of VAR: Play on; Yellow card; or Red card?

This key issue affecting football, and many more like it, could be taken to the millions of spectators and fans who enjoy the game to seek their personal opinions. Directors Box, the exciting new football go-to application, offers fans the opportunity to create their own polls and petitions relating to their specific club or country, or more generic football matters, to gather and measure supporter opinion.

In addition, Directors Box offers a one-stop tool for all football fans by facilitating immediate club-specific news, game updates, competitions and much more!

Supporters are the lifeblood

Football club owners, managers, coaches and players are generally transient.  Their tenure at any given football club is relatively short term compared to its fan-base. Fans typically remain loyal for life and be its constant lifeblood.  Fan engagement is essential to keep satisfied supporters.

Generational inheritance of support for a club is usually handed down through heritage of family ties.  Often by way of an informal introduction by a relative or close friend, or by simple geographical location.

Its a lifelong commitment

Support for your team is usually a lifelong commitment. This can range from the exceptionally committed fanatic who attends every game, home and away, season after season.  Or,  the occasional supporter who might follow the club’s fortunes and daily business from afar, probably online.  They take more than a passing interest in the club’s affairs both on and off the field of play. Regardless of their supporter status, all fans are invested in the club at varying levels of commitment. 

Given that fans are the indispensable factor of a football club, it would therefore be prudent practice by all clubs to engage with their supporter base on a regular basis.  This ensures that supporters’ views are considered by their respective club’s board of directors.  This theory is one of the recommendations of the recent of the Fan-led Review of Football in England (2022).  This was endorsed in the corresponding Government white paper.

As with any successful business model, listening and acting upon your customers’ requirements and suggestions should be a fundamental principle to ensure customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction would probably bring even further investment by football fans both emotionally and financially. 

Fan Engagement

Fan engagement caters for the supporter’s needs before, during and after each game. This should be a premium end-to-end service. This service might include the following:

Pre-match: In the days leading up to the forthcoming game, fans will want updates. These updates would include team selection, injuries status, ticketing, travel arrangements, opposition information and analysis.  Also potential participation in quizzes, score forecasting, polls, projected team line-up, likely goal scorers, etc.

In-match: During the game, fans attending the game at the stadium will a high-quality customer experience that caters for all their needs. Ideally, the club will provide all of the services that a supporter will want, and to negate them having to use third party services, be it refreshments, catering, merchandise, entertainment, etc. Fans who are unable to attend the game in person will want minute-by-minute match updates incorporating team line ups, commentary and scores. 

Post-match: After each game, fans might want to check on results from other games in their respective league. They may check the latest league table, discuss the game with other like-minded supporters and possibly hold a poll or petition directly relating to the recent game or wider club matters. 

Given football’s global reach to an estimated 3.5 billion fans, the responsibility by clubs (and national teams) to ensure a premium fan engagement experience should surely be a priority for all of the industry’s gatekeepers. 

Directors’ Box an app for football fan engagement

Directors’ Box, the exciting and excellent new go-to football fan engagement application.  This takes football to the millions of spectators and fans who love the ‘Beautiful Game’ whilst actively supporting football at the grassroots level.

The platform offers a one-stop tool for all football fans by facilitating immediate club-specific news, game updates, interactive competitions and much more! 

Directors’ Box encourages fans’ opinions and offers supporters the opportunity to create their own polls and petitions relating to their specific club or country.  They can also engage in more generic football matters, to gather and measure supporter opinion.