VAR promised justice, but at what cost to the beautiful game?

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has become a defining feature of modern football, reshaping how matches are officiated across leading domestic leagues and international competitions.

Introduced to eliminate clear and obvious errors, VAR supports referees in making critical decisions involving goals, penalty awards, red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

Proponents of the system argue that VAR has strengthened fairness and integrity in the game by reducing controversial calls that can decisively influence match outcomes.

With access to multiple camera angles and replay technology, match officials are now better equipped to assess incidents accurately and make informed decisions under intense pressure.

However, despite its intended purpose, VAR continues to spark widespread debate. Critics point to frequent interruptions in the flow of play and prolonged decision-making processes that disrupt the rhythm of matches.

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Fans and players alike have voiced frustration over inconsistent interpretations of the Laws of the Game, particularly regarding handball and offside decisions, where fine margins often determine outcomes.

Originally introduced as a symbol of progress, a technological safeguard against human error VAR promised fairness, accuracy and justice. Yet for many, it has also delivered confusion and controversy, raising concerns that football is gradually losing its emotional essence.

Spontaneous goal celebrations are increasingly replaced by moments of suspense, as decisions are delayed, reviewed and some times overturned by marginal calls measured in millimeters. While VAR has corrected some high-profile mistakes, it has not eliminated subjectivity.

Similar incidents continue to be judged differently by different referees, prompting questions about whether technology has resolved football’s officiating challenges or merely added another layer of complexity. Football undeniably needs fairness, but it also thrives on flow, emotion and clarity.

For VAR to truly serve the game, its use must be simplified, decisions must be delivered more swiftly, and communication with players and fans must become more transparent. Without these improvements, VAR risks being remembered not as a symbol of progress, but as an example of technological overreach in a sport built on passion and spontaneity.