When Did VAR Become a Thing? The Evolution of Football Technology
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officially became a global reality in 2016 when the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved live trials. However, the technology truly "became a thing" for the general public during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, marking the biggest shift in football officiating in over a century. This technology was designed to eliminate "clear and obvious errors" and ensure fairness in the world's most popular sport.
For decades, football fans argued over "ghost goals" and missed penalties. The introduction of VAR changed the narrative from "the referee's word is final" to "let's check the footage." To understand when VAR became a thing, we must look at the transition from human-only officiating to a tech-assisted ecosystem. This journey involves years of secret testing, skepticism from FIFA leadership, and a eventual embrace of digital precision to protect the integrity of the game.
The Secret Beginnings: The KNVB "Project 2.0"
The seeds of VAR were sown long before the 2018 World Cup. The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) was the true pioneer of this movement. Under a project titled "Refereeing 2.0," the Dutch began testing a video-assisted system as early as the 2012-2013 Eredivisie season. These were "mock trials" where the video official had no communication with the on-field referee but recorded how decisions would have changed.
- 2010-2012: The KNVB starts internal discussions about using video replays after several high-profile officiating blunders in international matches.
- 2013: The Dutch federation formally petitions the IFAB to allow live trials for video assistants.
- 2014: FIFA, under Sepp Blatter, remains skeptical, but the momentum for technology grows following the successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT).
- 2016 (March): The IFAB finally approves a two-year trial period for "live" VAR, allowing the assistant to actually influence the match.
- 2016 (August): The first-ever live VAR match takes place in a United Soccer League (USL) game in the United States between New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B.
- 2017: The FIFA Confederations Cup serves as the first major international tournament to use VAR, receiving mixed reviews but proving the concept's viability.
In short, while the idea existed for a decade, the infrastructure of VAR became a functional reality through Dutch innovation and the eventual courage of the IFAB to challenge traditional football norms.
The Four Pillars of VAR Intervention
To ensure that VAR didn't disrupt the flow of the game unnecessarily, the IFAB established strict protocols. VAR is not meant to check every minor foul; it is only "a thing" for four specific, match-changing scenarios.
- Goal/No Goal 📌Checking for offsides, fouls in the build-up, or the ball going out of play before a goal is scored.
- Penalty Decisions 📌Ensuring that penalty kicks are correctly awarded or rescinded based on clear evidence of a foul or lack thereof.
- Direct Red Cards 📌Reviewing serious foul play or violent conduct that the on-field referee might have missed (not applicable for second yellow cards).
- Mistaken Identity📌 Correcting a referee if they award a card to the wrong player on the pitch.
By sticking to these four categories, FIFA aimed to maintain a "Minimum Interference, Maximum Benefit" philosophy.
Comparing Football: Before vs. After VAR
The impact of VAR can be measured by the accuracy of key decisions. Before the technology was implemented, human error was an accepted, albeit frustrating, part of the "drama" of football.
| Feature | Pre-VAR Era | VAR Era (Post-2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Accuracy | Approximately 93% | Approximately 98.8% |
| Offside Precision | Human eye (often flawed) | Digital lines/Semi-automated |
| Match Flow | Continuous, fewer pauses | Frequent "Check" delays |
| Player Behavior | More simulation (diving) | Reduced diving in the box |
The 2018 World Cup: When VAR Went Mainstream
While leagues like the Bundesliga and Serie A introduced VAR in 2017, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was the global coming-out party. This was the moment billions of viewers realized that football had changed forever. During the tournament, VAR officials were located in a centralized hub in Moscow, communicating with referees via fiber-optic links.
- Increased Penalties The 2018 World Cup saw a record 29 penalties awarded, many thanks to VAR reviews.
- The "TV Signal" Gesture Referees drawing a rectangle in the air became the new iconic symbol of modern football.
- Transparency Efforts For the first time, fans in the stadium and at home saw "VAR Review" graphics on large screens.
- The Final Stamp Even the final between France and Croatia featured a VAR-awarded penalty, proving FIFA's total trust in the system.
The Implementation in Major European Leagues
Following the World Cup success, the "Big Five" leagues began adopting the technology at different speeds. This staggered roll-out created a period where some fans experienced VAR while others still lived in the traditional era.
The Premier League was notably the last major league to adopt VAR, waiting until the 2019-2020 season. They wanted to "learn from the mistakes" of other leagues, though their implementation faced intense scrutiny for its strictness on marginal offsides (often called "armpit offsides").
- Bundesliga (Germany): Early adopters in 2017, focusing on speed.
- Serie A (Italy): Implemented in 2017, using it frequently to manage high-tension matches.
- La Liga (Spain): Joined the movement in 2018-2019 after successful World Cup trials.
- Ligue 1 (France): Also adopted in 2018, following the national team's World Cup victory.
- Premier League (England): The 2019 debut brought the highest level of global debate regarding the "spirit of the game."
Challenges and the Future of Football Tech
Despite its goal of fairness, VAR has faced significant backlash. Critics argue it kills the "instant joy" of celebrating a goal, as players and fans must wait for a silent check. However, the technology continues to evolve to address these concerns.
"The problem isn't the technology; it's the consistency of the humans using it." — Common football pundit sentiment.
To combat the long wait times for offside calls, FIFA introduced Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This uses dedicated cameras and a sensor inside the ball to determine offside positions in seconds, rather than minutes. This represents the next phase of when VAR "becomes a thing"—moving from manual drawing of lines to AI-powered precision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What was the first match to use VAR? The first live professional trial was in August 2016 (NY Red Bulls II vs Orlando City B). The first major international match was Italy vs France in September 2016.
- Why does VAR take so long? VAR officials must check multiple angles and ensure the "Point of Contact" with the ball is perfectly synced with the player's position, which requires high precision.
- Can VAR overturn a yellow card? No, VAR only intervenes for direct red cards, not second yellow cards or standard bookings.
- Who has the final say, the VAR or the Referee? The on-field referee always has the final decision. The VAR only "recommends" a review.
- Is VAR used in every league? No, due to the high cost of cameras and fiber-optic infrastructure, many lower-division and smaller national leagues still do not use VAR.
Conclusion:
VAR didn't just appear overnight; it was a response to the increasing speed and financial stakes of modern football. While the transition began in the early 2010s in the Netherlands, the world truly felt its impact in 2018. As we look forward, the technology will likely become faster and more automated, but the debate over its influence on the "soul" of the game will likely continue for as long as the ball is rolling.
By understanding the history of when VAR became a thing, fans can better appreciate the complexities of modern officiating. Whether you love it or hate it, video assistance is here to stay, ensuring that the "Hand of God" or "Ghost Goals" remain relics of the past.