Whistle under fire: VAR, bias and refereeing crisis in African Football

REFEREEING has always been a lightning rod in football and recent controversies in African competitions have reignited a fierce debate about fairness, bias and the role of technology.

Despite tools like the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), questions around consistency and accountability refuse to go away.

Accuracy vs perception Statistically, referees perform remarkably well; studies by Sky Sports and CAF show they average about five errors per match, translating to an accuracy rate of 98 per cent.

Yet, under the pressure of international tournaments, error margins can rise dramatically, with research showing accuracy dropping to as low as 80% in high-stake environments.

VAR: Solution or smokescreen?

VAR was designed to reduce human error, with the Premier League reporting a rise in accuracy from 82% to 96% postVAR. Some academic studies put the number even higher.

But flaws remain: VAR is operated by humans, meaning inconsistency, selective usage and even bias can still creep in.

This was painfully evident in the CAF Champions League quarter-final, where Yanga SC’s valid goal against Mamelodi Sundowns was ruled out with no VAR review. Head coach Manuel Gamondi accused officials of robbing his team of a historic semi-final.

Similar outrage followed the CAF Confederation Cup final, where Simba SC also suffered from questionable officiating again involving the same referee, Dahane Beida.

Human factor Referees make a decision every 2.2 seconds, under roaring crowds and immense pressure. Unconscious bias is real; data shows referees are more likely to favour home teams or star players.

That’s why identifying patterns through regression analysis is key to understanding and preventing bias.

Call for change

The back-to-back controversies involving Tanzanian giants Yanga and Simba have led to widespread calls for CAF to enforce tighter referee assessments and standardise VAR use.

Without reforms, fans’ trust erodes and the sport’s credibility suffers. Football thrives on passion, but justice must prevail.

With modern tools available, governing bodies must ensure referees are trained, accountable and consistent. Otherwise, match outcomes risk being shaped more by officiating errors than by talent on the pitch.

The beautiful game deserves better

VAR technology in football refers to the use of Video Assistant Referees to support onfield officials in making more accurate decisions.

It involves reviewing match footage to identify “clear and obvious errors” in decisions related to goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

VAR uses multiple camera angles and slow-motion replays to assist referees in ensuring the integrity of the game.

How VAR works: Video Operation Room (VOR):

A team of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) and Assistant Video Assistant Referees (AVARs) monitor the match from a video operation room.

Communication: The VARs communicate with the on-field referee through a headset, alerting them to potential “clear and obvious errors.”

Review: The referee can then choose to review the play on the field with the help of in-stadium monitors, using the VAR’s feedback to make a final decision.

On-Field Review (OFR): The referee can also choose to review the play on the field, using the information provided by the VAR.

Final Decision: The final decision always rests with the on-field referee, even if they choose to review the play using the VAR. Types of VAR Systems: Full VAR Systems: Use a large number of cameras (four and above).

VAR Light Systems: Use a smaller number of cameras (four to eight) and are typically operated by the VAR themselves.

Benefits of VAR: Increased Accuracy: VAR has been shown to improve the accuracy of referee decisions. Reduced Errors: It helps to identify and correct “clear and obvious errors.” Fairness: VAR aims to ensure that decisions are made fairly, based on the best available information.

Drawbacks of VAR: Delays: VAR reviews can disrupt the flow of the game and can lead to delays. Complexity: The implementation and use of VAR can be complex and referees must learn how to use the technology effectively. Fan Reactions: VAR has been the subject of debate, with fans and players having differing opinions on its impact on the game.