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The curious case of VAR in Italy

Star Sport Desk
With the video assistant referee (VAR) approved for the upcoming World Cup in Russia in June-July, the statistics of the technology's use in
the Italian Serie A - one of the few top leagues to have adopted the measure -provide some interesting statistics.
Many had fears about the technology, one that UEFA has chosen not to adopt in its Champions League till at least 2020. European football's governing body believes that the system needs more work but the real problem that has stemmed, and one which was widely anticipated, is the referees' overreliance on the VAR.
At least in the Serie A, although it is very much a
reflection on the whole, referees have shirked away from making big decisions and even refused to make 50-50 calls, letting the VAR make the final call. That is encapsulated by the fact that the VAR was called upon 1,736 times (for 916 goals, 464 penalties and 356 expulsions) across 346 Serie A and Coppa Italia games - a staggering five times per match.
While there was not a stoppage every time and in fact only 105 of the decisions were actually changed, the figure does not reflect well on referees. What reflects even worse however is the fact that of those 105 changed
decisions, 17 are believed to have been wrong.
That means that a technology, which will feature at world football's biggest event, has been wrong 16.2 per cent of the time, a margin of error that is far too great.
However, FIFA is more confident in the system and there are reasons they should favour the technology. While the VAR can make mistakes, it has eliminated 'human error1 and changed the result of eight matches without controversy. And in a tournament such as a World Cup, eveiy match is significant
It has also had a significant effect on how the game is played. Players have been less enthusiastic about committing off-the-ball fouls in fear of getting caught and fouls have decreased by 8.8 per cent overall, while the practice of simulation has been reduced by 43 per cent. Another
unsightly event, protesting against decisions, has gone down 19.3 percent.
It is understood that FIFA will give their World Cup referees and video referees training to familiarise them with the technology ahead of football's showpiece event and hopefully eliminate any mistakes, but they must keep in mind that it cannot help everyone, especially referees who will be using this technology for the first time. The World Cup will be a trial by fire for a much-maligned system and one that, for better or worse, its future depends upon.