VAR replays to be shown on big screens in FIFA World Cup games

FIFA says replays of incidents under review by video assistant referees (VAR) will be displayed on big screens at this year’s World Cup.

The June 2018 tournament scheduled to be hosted by Russia will be the first World Cup in which the VAR technology is used.

Critics of the system have in the past expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that fans attending the games aren’t able to see the replays while fans watching on television can.

Reformist FIFA president Gianni Infantino has pushed for technology to be used extensively in the game in spite of reservations in the prestigious Premier League and UEFA Champions League. Germany has been using VAR since beginning of this season while England has trialed it in some cup competitions.

“We need to live with the times,” Gianni Infantino said.

“We wanted to give the referees tools so they can make better decisions, and in the World Cup some very important decisions are made. It’s not possible that in 2018 everyone in their living room knows a few seconds after the play whether a referee has made a mistake and the referee doesn’t,” he added.

It is scheduled to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018.