ISL: Is AIFF Planning To Introduce VAR? Latest Update On The Matter By Kalyan Chaubey

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All India Football Federation (AIFF) is probably working towards the introduction of VAR or Video Assistant Referee, as AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey wrote to International Football Association Board for their willingness to participate in the Additional Video Review System (AVRS) trials.

Indian football fans have expressed the need for VAR time and again as the Indian refereeing standard has come into question, especially during the latest ISL 2023-24 matches, when some of the games saw a spade of cards.

While the heated nature of those games may still explain the high number of red cards shown during the games, the presence of VAR in top European leagues has often called for its introduction in ISL, the top tier of Indian football. However, the cost of such expensive technology has been an impediment.

The President's recommendation for AVRS aims to consider the extension of the existing technical infrastructure to accommodate an 'on-demand' video review request from the referees through a multi-angle, multi-camera broadcast feed.

Kalyan Chaubey said, "Our prime objective here is to reduce the margin of error by empowering match officials with the technology to assist in their decision-making. While we will continue to work to implement VAR, I feel that, to begin with, AVRS can be a great option for a country like India. AVRS would help us study the impact of the technology, train our match officials with the new concept, and assess its adaptation by players, coaches, and clubs alike."

Currently, the mass adoption of VAR is limited due to financial and infrastructure requirements set out in FIFA's Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP). "Only about 30 percent of the 211 football-playing nations-mainly in Europe and South America-currently have VAR subscriptions for either full domestic seasons or selective stages."

The president has suggested the AIFF Referee Department undertake the study to seek FIFA's suggestions and approval.

The crucial match between Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the ISL 2023-24 saw as many as seven red cards, with both sides reduced to nine men each during the match while the remainder of the suspensions came after the post-match scuffle.