Debate grows over VAR’s expanding role in football

A decade after VAR was approved, critics say its use has expanded beyond reducing clear refereeing errors and is disrupting football’s flow. Academic Susmit Gulavani told DW that technology should support, rather than replace, human judgment.

Questions about the role of video assistant referees have intensified as another domestic football season gets underway. VAR was approved by the International Football Association Board about a decade ago, with the original aim of reducing human error while keeping the referee in charge.

Susmit Gulavani, an assistant professor of AI and machine learning in sport at the University of South Carolina, told DW that VAR’s remit has widened over time. The addition of technologies including AI-assisted Semi-Automated Offside Technology has increased the system’s influence over decision-making and raised expectations that technology should produce perfect results.

Gulavani described this as “mission creep”. VAR is increasingly expected to settle almost every disputed incident, he said, even though decisions involving fouls and handball can still depend on human interpretation. The resulting reviews can leave supporters waiting and confused while interrupting football’s fast pace, according to the source text.

The debate has been particularly visible in Germany, where VAR has been used in the Bundesliga for nine years. German officials confirmed after the World Cup that the system would also be permitted to review second yellow cards and corner kicks. Organized fan groups responded by launching a campaign in August calling for VAR to be scrapped, arguing that it had taken away from football’s enjoyment.

Jochen Drees, who heads VAR operations in Germany, has supported refining the technology rather than removing it. Gulavani said this preference reflects a wider pattern: as systems become more capable, institutions tend to rely on them more while needing to decide where their role should begin and end.

One possible alternative has been tested at the Under-20 men’s World Cup. Under the Football Video Support approach, coaches could request reviews using challenge cards, potentially limiting constant replay interventions. The trials reportedly continue, although the system may be viewed as a less expensive alternative to VAR. Gulavani said technology should remain decision support because referees are still needed to assess context, intent and situations without an objectively correct answer.