VAR has become ‘extremely microscopic’ – UEFA’s chief referee

Roberto Rossetti, UEFA’s chief referee, said VAR had become too much.

Speaking to the UEFA Congress on Thursday, Rossetti added that a lot of work was needed to find a “consistent interpretation” of handball.

Rosetti admitted that the technology works very well in making real-life decisions such as stealth, but subjective situations lead to a lot of interference.

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

The German League and Spanish League come next at 0.38, the Italian League at 0.44, and the French League at 0.47.

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

“At the end of the season we have to talk about this,” Rossetti said. “Because we can’t go in this direction with microscopic VAR interventions. We love football as it is.”

Rossetti said part of the problem was that fans and media were asking, “Where is the VAR?” On an increasing number of subjective decisions.

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

“It’s good for the fans, for everyone, because you want the right decisions on the field, especially when they are clear.”

Rossetti added that European football should speak “only one technical language” when it comes to handball.

Interpretation varies widely across leagues, with the Premier League following one of the more lenient approaches.

“We cannot speak different technical languages ​​across Europe,” Rossetti said. “It’s not good. It’s also not good because the teams play in European competitions.

“We talk a lot about this. Of course, before next season, we need to talk again.

“Just one standardization and consistent interpretation. We’re working toward this.”

Rosetti hinted that he was against extending the powers of VAR. The International Football Association Board is expected to approve a review of corner kicks and second yellow cards when it meets on February 28.

He added: “The decisive thing is one concept: we cannot delay the resumption of play.” “If there is something to delay the resumption of play, I think it is not good for football.

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

“We like it because football is about strength and emotions and does not delay the resumption of play.”

Rossetti said that during a meeting of top referees in Europe last month, there was focus on players falling to the ground very easily after simple contact.

Officials have also been told to monitor goalkeepers’ blocking on corner kicks when they clearly prevent them from playing the ball.

Rossetti added that he had reservations about former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s proposed offside substitution, which would require a separation between striker and defender.

He said it would create “a lot of space” for the attacker and could have tactical implications.

Subject to approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the idea is set to be trialled in the Canadian Premier League from April.