After a wait of four long years, the Football World Cup is here, to entertain millions of fans spanning across the world, apart from those lucky ones who are present in Russia to watch the games live in stadiums. Every World Cup brings with it a unique character, a new fervor for football crazy fans. This time also it was no different.

In the run up to the FIFA World Cup 2018, in Russia, there was enough buzz about the use of technology that would invariably look to improve the game and obliterate the glitches that players, coaches and supporters often crib about. The introduction of VAR or Video Assistant Referees to this summer World Cup 2018 generated a lot of flutter and everyone was looking forward to how this technology would actually make the difference.

The anticipation wasn’t misplaced, as VAR found itself in the eye of the storm, getting involved in many of the crucial events of the tournament so far. The opinions are divided, when it comes to the use of VAR. While proponents may vouch for its extensive use, others say that it also hampers the flow of the game severely cutting into the tempo. But, there is no denying the fact that VAR can have match-altering effects when used at the right moments, and fairly.

The journey so far for VAR

Unlike cricket, football never resorted to technology earlier, and the Russia World Cup is the first major tournament the Video Assistant Referee system has been brought to use. However, VAR was tested in the German and Italian leagues, as well as in the FA and Carabao Cups during last season. VAR is to soccer what third umpire is to cricket.

VAR has already seen a few applications in the ongoing FIFA 18 Cup, for instance when Spain’s Diego Costa scored the first goal against Portugal, during the penalty from France against Australia or Sweden’s penalty vs South Korea. The newly introduced system has also ruffled many feathers. Brazil is quite fumed in their drawn match against Switzerland, when VAR wasn’t used in key moments of the game, which could have altered the result of the match. Brazil now questions FIFA over not referring to the VAR. In other instances, the technology has enabled awarding three penalties in retrospect so far.

Circumstances that warrant VAR

Although it can be a very empowering tool to ensure a fair play in football, one cannot go on to use VAR indiscriminately. There is indeed a caveat to using this technology. FIFA clearly states that VAR should be used to rectify only clear and obvious errors and “missed incidents in clearly defined match-changing decisions".

Goals: The most common situation when a VAR would come into play is a close offside decision after a goal has been scored. It will ensure that even the faintest offside comes under probe.

Penalties: Penalties, which is perpetually the most controversial topic in football between two playing sides, can be corrected and reversed with the use of VAR, whenever there is a hint of any misgiving.

Straight red cards: VAR can assist in handing a straight red car to players for violent and perilous tackles, which cannot be resolved by flipping a second yellow card.

Sending off the right player:

Many football fans were left dejected when the referee sent off Kieran Gibbs in a case of mistaken identity in the 2014 match when Chelsea trounced Arsenal 6-0. There was no VAR. Now, such an incident is a distant possibility in this FIFA World Cup 2018, which is seemingly backed by this technology.

However, resorting to VAR when it is very necessary is also very important, just like the case of Brazil, which infuriated a whole nation. Nevertheless, the Russia World Cup is still at the group stage and there will be ample opportunities when we can see the use of VAR.

Yet, it is too early to predict how the football fraternity would embrace this newly introduced technology of VAR, much of which would become clear after the Football World Cup. Hence, for now, it is just a wait and watch game for VAR, passing the verdict would be too premature at this moment.