September 22 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, have completed their first official ‘live’ test of the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) during the Dutch Cup game between Ajax Amsterdam and Willem II. The Tilburg midfielder Anouar Kali became the first player to get sent off via a ruling from the ‘video assistant referee’ (VAR).
Referee Danny Makkelie had cautioned Kali for kicking Ajax’s Lasse Schone in the ankle, but after the intervention from the VAR, Makkelie dished out a red card for the midfielder. It was the first-time ever TV assistance was fully used in on-site decision-making.
Last month the VAR was ‘semi-live’ during the friendly international between Italy and France in Bari. The on-field action, however, wasn’t stopped to study replays. France went on to win the game 3-1. Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers led the game with Makkelie serving as the VAR.
At the Dutch Cup tie referee Pol van Boekel assisted on-field referee Makkelie. Van Boekel was sitting in a small van with six TV screens at the Amsterdam Arena and communicated with Makkelie through a headset. “I see the infringement and think – ‘that’s quite hefty,” reflected van Boekel. “I watched it again and after a few seconds I already said that this was 100% a sending-off.”
Van Boekel communicated his opinion and consequently Makkelie reversed his decision. Ajax’s first goal also caused controversy with defender Heiko Westermann in a plausible offside position. The goal stood as Makkelie checked with van Boekel, who judged Westermann to be onside. Ajax won the game 5-0.
The VAR can review an incident when asked by the match referee as well as advise the on-field referee about incidents they may have missed. These incidents are at present restricted to match-deciding situations: penalties, red cards and goals that have been preceded by a foul or an offside situation. The VAR’s judgement remains an advice as the responsibility to take a final decision resides with the on-field referee.
On Thursday, Makkelie and van Boekel will swap roles during the Dutch Cup tie between Feyenoord and FC Oss to test the system again. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) the guardian of the game’s rules, could authorise the use of video technology in 2018 in time for the Russia Word Cup.
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