Football must avoid ‘microscopic’ VAR – Uefa refs’ chief

Uefa referees’ chief Roberto Rosetti says video assistant review (VAR) is becoming too forensic.

Speaking at the Uefa Congress on Thursday, Rosetti added that a lot of work is needed to find a “consistent interpretation” on handball.

Rosetti admitted that technology works very well for factual decisions like offside, but subjective situations are leading to too many interventions.

The Premier League has the lowest VAR intervention rate in Europe’s top leagues this season, at 0.27 per game – although fewer reviews has not led to less controversy over decisions.

The Bundesliga and La Liga come next at 0.38, Serie A at 0.44 and Ligue 1 at 0.47.

In the Champions League the ratio is also high, at 0.45.

“At the end of the season we need to speak about this,” Rosetti said. “Because we cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR interventions. We love football like it is.”

Rosetti said part of the problem had been supporters and media asking “where is VAR?” on an increasing number of subjective decisions.

“We cannot forget why it is in place,” he said. “It’s about justice.

“It’s good for fans, for everyone, because you want the right decisions in the pitch, especially when they’re clear.”

Rosetti added that European football must speak “only one technical language” on handball.

Interpretation differs widely across leagues, with the Premier League operating one of the more lenient approaches.

“We cannot speak different technical languages across Europe,” Rosetti said. “It’s not good. It’s not good also because teams are playing in European competitions.

“We are speaking a lot about it. For sure, before next season, we need to speak again.

“Only one uniformity and consistent interpretation. We are working for this.”

Rosetti hinted he was against extending the remit of VAR. The International Football Association Board is expected to approve review for corners and second yellow cards when it meets on 28 February.

“What is crucial is one concept, we cannot delay the restart of play,” he added. “If something is in place to delay the restart of play, I think it’s not good for football.

“I can tell you also that every little change in order to speed up the restart of play, we like.

“We like because football is intensity, is emotions, is not delaying the restart of play.”

Rosetti said that at a meeting of Europe’s top referees last month there was a focus on players going to ground too easily from minimal contact.

Officials have also been told to monitor blocking actions on goalkeepers on corners when it clearly prevents them from playing the ball.

Rosetti added that he had reservations about former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s proposed offside change, which would require daylight between attacker and defender.

He said it would create a “big space” for the attacker and could have tactical impacts.