VAR, Hope for Indonesian League 1 Without Controversy
With VAR, it is hoped that the hunt for the Indonesian champion club will be fairer and with minimal blunders by the referee.
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The VAR monitor used in the Final EPA U20 League 1 2023/2024 in Manahan Stadium, Surakarta City, Central Java on Thursday (7/3/2024). It is the first time that modern refereeing technology in the world of football has been implemented. This moment became a testing opportunity before the technology is fully implemented in the highest competition in Indonesia next season.
The wait for video assistant referee technology or VAR at BRI Indonesian League 1 will end in the Championship Series which starts this Tuesday (14/5/2024). The four best teams in the regular League 1 series this season have the privilege of being the first teams to undergo official competition in Indonesia with VAR.
The semifinal match between Bali United versus Persib Bandung and Madura United versus Borneo FC will present football duels accompanied by the latest match refereeing technology. At least at the end of the 2023-2024 season, VAR will be available in eight championship series duels.
Even though the use of VAR in the championship series is still part of a series of trials before VAR is implemented in a full season in League 1, the preparations carried out by PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the competition operator take a long time for at least one season. final.
Before discussing technology, PT LIB and the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) must prepare capable referee resources to "collaborate" with VAR technology. PT LIB has already taken steps towards this by involving 42 referees in VAR training since July 2023.
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Illustration. The referee checked the VAR alleged handball by Atalanta player, Aleksei Miranchuk, which resulted in a penalty kick decision for Inter Milan in the Italian League match at the San Siro Stadium, Milan, 29 February 2024.
One of FIFA's VAR protocols is that the use of VAR must be initiated by the availability of VAR and AVAR (assistant VAR). When the 2023-2024 season begins, no Indonesian football referee has yet obtained a license as a VAR or AVAR.
After undergoing a series of training, courses and field tests, there are 13 VARs and 22 AVARs in Indonesia. Those who are at the forefront are in charge of the eight 2023-2024 League 1 championship series games which will determine the team's status as Indonesian champions.
Subkhiddin bin Mod Salleh, a FIFA VAR referee inspector, believes that Indonesian referees are ready to implement VAR in Liga 1. According to Subkhiddin, VAR referees and AVARs who have been trained by PT LIB and PSSI understand the capacity of referees to review incidents in matches and communicate from the video operation room (VOR).
"I can say that they (VAR and AVAR referees in Indonesia) passed. They are now able to use VAR," said Subkhiddin after undergoing the final evaluation in Tangerang, Banten at the end of March.
Also read: VAR Protest Diverting Indonesia's Quality Reality
The form of one of the VAR cars that has been prepared by PT Liga Indonesia Baru for the 2023-2024 Indonesian Liga 1 championship series. One VAR car each will operate at the four match location stadiums.
VAR car
After resolving the issue of referee resources, another matter that PT LIB is preparing for is the availability of technology. It is no secret that the use of VAR in the Indonesian League 1 is hindered by the availability of facilities in the stadiums used by clubs to install VAR cameras.
This problem was solved by using VAR cars. PT LIB prepared four VAR cars to provide VAR technology at four championship series match stadiums, namely the Bali United Training Center Field or Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar, Bali; Gelora Bangkalan Stadium in Madura, East Java; Batakan Stadium in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan; and the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java.
The discourse on the use of VAR cars was initiated by PT LIB since the 2022-2023 season. However, due to high financial demands and limited time, the idea failed to come to fruition last season. A different situation has arisen during this current season.
The two VAR cars were already in Gianyar and Madura for the first semifinal match of the championship series. Next, two other VAR cars will go to Bandung and Balikpapan.
PT LIB Operations Director Asep Saputra revealed that the VAR car was used as a VAR room for video assistant referee personnel, such as VAR, AVAR and RO (replay operator). They will be tasked with monitoring match incidents and communicating with the main referee in the car who is at one point in the stadium area.
Also read: FIFA Ensures U-17 World Cup Uses VAR
I think, when there are mistakes on the field, VAR can help correct them.
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Referee Jesus Valenzuela checks the video assistant referee (VAR) screen before giving a penalty to Poland when facing France in the round of 16 match of the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar, Sunday (4/12/2022). France advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Poland 3-1.
To support the VAR personnel equipment, the car is equipped with six monitor screens, a computer and a central server. Then, the car also had three air conditioners installed. One air conditioner is installed in the referee's room and two coolers are installed in the server room. There is also a generator prepared to help provide electrical power for the car.
"With the costs spent on VAR equipment being very expensive, we are equipping the feature with utmost sincerity. We are conducting benchmark studies to other countries that have already used VAR cars," said Asep.
Media and Communication Manager of PT LIB, Hanif Marjuni, added that the process of making the VAR car takes three months. PT LIB is very careful and meticulous in monitoring the process of making the VAR car with the coachbuilder who is the place of order because there has never been a VAR car made in the country before.
"Many things need to be considered, not just the functional aspect. There are other factors to be taken into account in the design of a car, including functionality and spatial needs, comfort, safety, and even electrical matters," said Hanif.
Also read: ”VAR” drama in Manahan
Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio halted the match and requested VAR to review a potential goal during the quarter-finals of the World Cup match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar, on Saturday (10/12/2022).
The installation of VAR equipment in the car was done directly by Hawk-Eye Innovations, a company providing VAR. For about a week, experts from Hawk-Eye Innovations in VAR hardware and software perfected the function of the VAR car.
Hawk-Eye Innovations is a sports technology company from England. When starting the use of VAR in the 2016-2017 season, the Italian League collaborated with Hawk-Eye Innovations to support the facility and prime technology services of VAR in all stadiums. At that time, the Italian League became a pioneer in the full use of VAR in one season for domestic competitions.
Socialization
Apart from referee preparation and technology, PT LIB did not forget to provide outreach to the four championship series participants who will play the match with VAR. The first team to receive VAR socialization was Persib Bandung on April 23, then the last team was Madura United on May 11.
In the socialization process, the PT LIB team explained the function of VAR to players, coaching staff and club management participating in thechampionship series. This socialization provides the team with an understanding of the four principles of using VAR in matches, namely reviewing goals/no goals, penalties/no penalties, direct red cards, and correcting errors in the referee's decisions.
"We are holding this outreach so that all elements of the club understand the rules for implementing VAR," said Asep.
French attacker of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema (left), looks at referee Javier Alberola Rojas who disallowed the opening goal after a VAR review in the Spanish football league match between Real Madrid and Valencia at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Thursday (2/2/2023).
The teams participating in the 2023-2024 League 1 championship series enthusiastically welcomed the use of VAR. All parties agree that VAR will provide a fairer match and minimize wrong decisions in the match.
"Hopefully when used later on, VAR can work well. Referees are also human beings who can make mistakes, as are players and coaches. I think when there are mistakes on the field, VAR can help correct them," said Bali United coach Stefano Cugurra.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Borneo Coach Peter Huistra. "The presence of VAR is important to make the game fairer. It is hoped that VAR can reduce discussions and debates on the field," said Huistra.
If VAR is successful in the championship series, Indonesian League 1 has the opportunity to join the neighboring competition, the Malaysian Super League, which has received FIFA approval to use VAR in one full season in the latest edition 2024-2025.
Malaysia is the 68th country to have implemented a one-season competition with VAR. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia follows the Thai League 1 and Vietnam's V-League 1.
