India to see Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Technology in Under-17 Women’s World Cup

For the first time in the Under-17 Women’s Football group, Video Assistant Referee will make its debut. VAR technology is used in games to assist the referee in his decision-making process, with the help of advanced technology. Goals and any offences leading up to the goals, penalty decisions and offences leading to the penalty, mistaken identity, and red card incidents will be some of the situations in which VAR technology will be an absolute game changer.

The match officials for the tournament have also been appointed. The FIFA Referees Committee announced that 14 women referees, 28 women assistant referees, three support referees, and 16 video match officials have been appointed. It is, however, reported that no referee from India has been appointed. After the 11-day ban by FIFA for “external influence” caused by a CoA mandate imposed by the Supreme Court, the sport is all set to be hosted from October 11^th-30^th.

FIFA included the VAR system in the Laws of the Game in 2018-19. As per the VAR Protocols, its use is only permitted where the match/competition organizer has fulfilled all the Implementation Assistance and Approval Programmer (IAAP) requirements as set out in FIFA’s IAAP documents and has received written permission from FIFA. Further, any issues concerning VAR are handled by the IFAB (International Football Association Board).