VAR technology has always been controversial to fans, experts, and in most cases, to those who are on the sidelines.
Coaches have complained frequently about the use of this technology, especially since they can't have a say in the outcome of each play analyzed by the system, or ask for any given play to be reviewed. Well, the Italian Serie A has come up with a plan to give each team a chance to fight for what they believe is right.
The Italian Football Federation (or Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, FIGC) will send a request to FIFA's International Board where all teams have the chance to challenge any ruling on the field. Given that the Italian top-flight was one of the first to test this technology, Serie A execs feel that they can contribute to end all controversies by testing this approach.
As of now, only the refs, the assistants and VAR referees have access to the tool, and this ruling would need the International Board to change that in order to make technology work for all clubs.
"In the last few weeks, the FIGC has collected requests from several Serie A clubs to grant our league the right to test a "challenge system" as a VAR tool. This is an informal request by the league, and it would be subject to the amount of time and mode the International Board feels proper," the press release states.
According to the document, this idea comes as one more way to make the game fair to everyone, while also helping the refs decision-making process.
"The FIGC believes that this changes wil make football closer to all fans without reducing the ref's authority on the pitch. Moreover, it will give the ref more tools to do a better job," the press release adds.
The idea comes from American basketball and football leagues, which also use technology and give coaches the right to have a controversial play analyzed. The idea has been ruled out by most former refs, since it would slow down the pace of the game, but it would also give all teams a chance to see justice being done on the pitch.
