VAR changes: referees must explain their decisions live

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) agreed, this Thursday, that as of Club World Cup, the referees must explain the decisions that are made around the VAR, through a microphone. Stadium spectators and television viewers will be informed of the verdicts in real time.

At its annual meeting, the entity that regulates soccer rules authorized that this measure would be tested within a period of twelve months in international competitions. The Club World Cup, which takes place between February 1 and 11, will be the first tournament to apply this change.

In this way, Real Madrid, Flamengo, Seattle Sounders, Wyad Casablanca, Al-Ahly, Al-Hilal and Auckland City, will have to adapt to this modification during the tournament held in Morocco.

“At the meeting it was agreed that live communication by referees of VAR related decisions to the public, both in the stadium and via broadcasters, will be tested for 12 months in competitions. international, and which would initially be filmed at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, which begins on February 1,” the statement said.

Another of the competitions that will be affected will be the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20). However, at said meeting the temporary substitutions in case of shock were not approved.

However, the communication between the main referee and the VAR assistants will remain confidential. Only the final decision will be explained to the public.