FIFA, the international governing body of football, has given green light to an eleven-member team to implement VAR technology in Ghana. With the successful implementation of this technology, Ghana will join an elite group of African countries that have successfully implemented VAR. South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt, to name a few.
According to GFA, “The decision was announced during a meeting held on Monday, April 12, 2021, on modalities for the implementation of VAR in Ghana. In the meeting, the FIFA technical team approved a project for Ghana, which is the second key step in the implementation process of the FIFA approved VAR”.
The project team for the implementation of VAR will involve major players in the football game here in Ghana. They will consist of “A project leader and officers with knowledge in Legal, Information Technology, Communication, Finance, Competition/Monitoring & research, Club license and Security as well as Technical and Training areas” as stated by the GFA.
Video Assistant Referee popularly known as VAR is a new technology added to a football match to ensure fairness in the game. VAR is an assistant referee who reviews decisions made by the main referee with the use of video footage and a headset for communication. The technology makes it possible to review real-time replays and slow-motion replays to check for intensity and contact respectively. The technology makes it possible to review actions on the pitch from various angles to ensure that the best decision is taken for the team.
The Ghana Football Association’s Referees Department has also welcomed FIFA’s decision and stated that they “are working with their colleagues at FIFA for a smooth implementation and execution” of this technology in all of our local competitions.
In three weeks, the GFA will host a “kickoff meeting” where the approved team will appoint the VAR technology provider for the project’s full implementation in Ghana for the 2022/2023 season.
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