Spanish Federation Plans Total VAR Revolution

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), under the leadership of Rafael Louzán, is keenly aware of the discontent among teams and fans regarding the current VAR system. The way video assistant refereeing operates in both La Liga and the second division has drawn significant criticism. Consequently, changes and modifications are being prepared and considered, not only in the application of the technology itself but also in the personnel responsible for overseeing matches from the VAR room. This overhaul is already underway, with Fran Soto retaining his position at the helm of the Referees' Technical Committee, enjoying the full confidence of the leadership.

Since the start of the season, the federation introduced a system called "Football Video Support" in the third tier of Spanish football. The main difference from the La Liga system, besides its lower cost, is that it's used at the coaches' request. Each team has two review opportunities, and if the initial decision is overturned, they don't lose their right to a request. This system can be applied to goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. A dedicated VAR room, as it's known, doesn't exist in this setup, which eliminates the ambiguity surrounding when and how referees intervene. This contrasts with recent incidents at "La Cartuja" and "Vallecas," where there were clear and acknowledged cases of VAR misuse – in the first instance due to a lack of intervention, and in the second, due to excessive involvement.

The football world is losing faith in VAR, and the federation is striving to restore that lost trust. As a first step, they are considering introducing coach challenges for reviews in professional football as well. This is an issue that extends beyond the federation's sole decision (La Liga also agrees) and would require approval from FIFA, the supreme authority in global refereeing. This wouldn't mean eliminating the VAR room but rather empowering teams to request reviews of specific situations where currently, on-field referees decide whether to consult the screen, often without a clear rationale.

A significant change is also planned for the list of referees responsible for video arbitration next season. The practice of VAR being a refuge for some referees nearing the end of their careers, who don't always have the best ratings, will cease. A specialized VAR team was already established this season. For the upcoming campaign, a further step will be taken in selecting its members, with an emphasis on their current form and level. As for on-field referees, the goal is to prioritize meritocracy. The idea is for selection to be based on performance, not past achievements. A change in the refereeing structure is sought, one that isn't based on old accomplishments but on what is demonstrated during each individual season. The era of "lifetime" positions for some officials will come to an end.

The RFEF is already aware of FIFA's concerns regarding the average standard of Spanish referees. It's believed that a league like Spain's should have a higher standard of officiating. Honor was saved by the presence of Hernández Hernández at the World Cup, but Pierluigi Collina (FIFA's head of referees) demands more. The federation believes that the use of VAR negatively impacts the refereeing corps, which in many cases has shown reliability but is currently experiencing some confusion. The RFEF has stood by its referees and even fought for the Canarian referee to travel to North America with his full team, but at the same time, it acknowledges that a step forward is needed to change both the overall perception and the public and professional view of their work.

"AS"