Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's head of referees, expressed concern about the overuse of VAR and urged a return to the basic principles of VAR, where the referee remains the center of attention in the match.

Roberto Rosetti: VAR Must Return to Initial Thinking

Why this is important

Roberto Rosetti's statement regarding VAR is very important because it reflects widespread dissatisfaction among football stakeholders. By prioritizing the basic principles of VAR, it is hoped that referees can return to being the center of attention in matches, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the game. This also shows that UEFA is committed to improving the fan experience and fairness in competitions, including at the next World Cup.

Background

Roberto Rosetti, as UEFA's chief referee, has an important role in determining the direction of the use of VAR in football. With a strong background in international refereeing, Rosetti is expected to bring about significant changes in the way VAR is applied, which in turn could influence decisions at high level competitions such as the World Cup.

Main Points

Roberto Rosetti: VAR Must Return to Initial Thinking.
Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's head of referees, expressed concern about the overuse of VAR and called for a return to the basic principles of VAR, where the referee remains the center of attention in the match.
UEFA wil af van 'microscopische' VAR: 'Het is voetbal, geen PlayStation'.

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's head of refereeing, expressed deep concern regarding the current practices of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). According to Rosetti, several decisions taken by VAR were considered too excessive and not in accordance with the essence of the game of football. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of returning to the original thinking that underlies the presence of VAR, where the referee remains the main authority in the match.

Rosetti was speaking at the launch of Clear Line, a new platform from UEFA designed to help explain to fans when and why VAR should be involved in decision-making. In a meeting attended by leading refereeing officials from England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France, Rosetti emphasized that there is currently no satisfaction among stakeholders regarding the impact of VAR on the game.

"We recognize that there is widespread dissatisfaction with how VAR is implemented. We want to end wasting time in very small situations," said Rosetti. He emphasized that context in decision-making is very important and added, "This is football, not PlayStation. We have to be very careful with that. The referee has to officiate the match, while VAR is there to correct obvious mistakes."

One issue that continues to be contentious is that of hand fouls, which often have different interpretations in different leagues. Rosetti stated, "We want to apply the rules of the game more consistently, although it is impossible to achieve complete uniformity. Football is not perfect, and in some cases, similar situations will still be interpreted differently. However, we are working together to improve it."

Additionally, Rosetti believes that the number of VAR interventions should be reduced. He referred to Diego Maradona's famous 'Hand of God' moment as an example of a situation that should not need to be discussed in the context of VAR. "We are no longer satisfied with the way VAR is currently used. We want to go back to the original thinking and put referees at the center of attention again."

Rosetti also highlighted that the duration of VAR checks should not be too long. If the examination lasts more than ninety seconds, he argues, the referee risks losing his credibility. The inspection process involves showing still images first, followed by half-speed recording and then normal speed. "We need clear images, without too much repetition. That's very important for us," he added.

Discussions regarding arbitration decisions cannot be separated from the spotlight at the World Cup, where various incidents have attracted the attention of observers. Rosetti hopes that with these changes, VAR can function better and help create a fairer and more enjoyable football experience for everyone.

What happened next

In the future, UEFA is expected to implement changes in the use of VAR based on input from Rosetti and other refereeing officials. The launch of the Clear Line platform could also provide fans with more transparency regarding when and why VAR is involved in decisions. If these changes are successful, they are expected to reduce controversy and increase satisfaction among fans and players around the world, including in Europe's major leagues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Roberto Rosetti say about VAR?

Roberto Rosetti expressed deep concern regarding current VAR practices, stating that some decisions are considered excessive and inconsistent with the essence of the game of football.

Who has confirmed that there is dissatisfaction with VAR?

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's head of refereeing, confirmed there is widespread dissatisfaction among stakeholders regarding the impact of VAR on the game.

Why is Roberto Rosetti talking about VAR now?

Rosetti spoke about VAR at the launch of Clear Line, a new platform from UEFA designed to help explain to fans when and why VAR should be involved in decision-making.

What changes does Roberto Rosetti propose regarding VAR?

Roberto Rosetti proposed that VAR return to its original thinking, where the referee remains the main authority in the match and VAR is present to correct obvious mistakes.

What issues continue to be debated regarding VAR according to Rosetti?

An issue that continues to be debated is hand fouls, which often have different interpretations in different leagues.

Roberto Rosetti: VAR Must Return to Original Thinking