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Video Assistant Referee, known to football lovers as VAR, has made headlines during the 2018 World Cup, held currently in Russia, raising questions about the technology's efficiency.
However, way before the start of FIFA's international tournament, the football assistant referee adopted to review decisions made by the head referee through video footage, has faced a wave of criticism.
When asked about the technology in a press conference, former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said in May 2018 : «For me I don’t think it’s the best idea for certain reasons», reports beIN Sports.
«We are not going to go into that debate», added the retired footballer who seemed uncomfortable with the newly adopted technology.
That was not the first time that Zidane voiced his concerns regarding FIFA’s VAR. While trailing the Video Assistant Referees system, Zidane said that the video review «could cause confusion».
Before awarding Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo an injury-time goal in a Madrid Mexico Club America game, the referee asked for a confirmation for the VAR, said the Japan Times.
In July, 2017, Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon said VAR was a «shambles», when commenting on a Confederations Cup game that brought Germany and Chile together.
«If you look at sports that use VAR - we're the laughing stock», he added.
In April 2018, the VAR system created chaos during a German league game (Bundesliga) after players had to go back to the field for a penalty minutes after the half-time whistle, says the Independent.
The referee awarded the other team a penalty for a hand-ball after he consulted the video assistance system.
For the record, Atlas Lions' fans, in Russia to cheer for the Moroccan team during its fifth participation to the World Cup, criticized the Uzbekistani referee for granting Spain a VAR-reviewed equalizer.
For the record, VAR was used for the first time on January the 8th, 2018, during the 2017-2018 FA Cup in England in a football match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace and the day after in the 2017-2018 French League Cup.
In 2018, the new technology was added to the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board.
