The All India Football Federation (AIFF) plans to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Indian Super League (ISL). The introduction is scheduled for the 2025-26 season. The move will enhance the quality of football refereeing in India. The Technical Committee meeting and the Annual General meeting took the joint decision. Both events took place in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on March 10, 2024.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Acting Secretary General M. Satyanarayan, and the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu participated in the meetings. They focused on India’s football future. The presentation of a balanced budget for the financial year 2024-25 was on top of the agenda.
Trevor Kettle, the AIFF Chief Refereeing Officer, provided a special report. It indicated an 85% accuracy rate in on-pitch decisions during the current season. The consultations with five VAR-specialized agencies took place. The FIFA representatives also participated in the discussions.
The introduction of VAR is a step towards more accuracy in the refereeing decisions in the ISL. The technology is already adopted by leading football leagues around the world. It offers a solution to concerns existing among ISL clubs, coaches, and players.
Members of the AIFF Technical Committee expressed support for the initiative. They emphasized the potential to install VAR without extra costs to the federation. Plans are in place for the implementation details, scheduled for the first week of May.
The VAR introduction shows the AIFF’s commitment to improving the football standards. Fans, players, and officials have shown enthusiasm for the prospect of VAR’s introduction. It can resolve long-standing issues of officiating accuracy.
