Referee Trọng tài Mai Xuân Hùng practises VAR use under the supervision of FIFA expert Bhaveshan Moorghen. Photos of VPF

HÀ NỘI — The world football governing body FIFA has approved video assistant referee (VAR) to be implemented in Việt Nam.

In a letter sent to the Việt Nam Professional Football Company (VPF) which manages the national leagues, FIFA wrote: "Final assessment-refereeing for the implementation of VAR in Việt Nam was successful and you now have the approval to use VAR technology from the FIFA VAR Refereeing team".

This means that all 18 referees, assistants and technicians who took part in the recent training courses, passed FIFA's tests. They can now take charge of the job in the national V.Leauge 1.

FIFA experts had also previously agreed that the national VAR set-ups met requirements in terms of techniques and technology.

Officials practise using VAR technology in a van.

 "FIFA has consulted us about two styles of VAR set-up: VAR van or VAR hub. Based on the realities of Việt Nam we chose the first option. Our two vans for VAR have been renovated from 16-seater cars. It will take more time to complete procedures for the vans to be officially put into circulation," said Nguyễn Minh Ngọc, VPF general director.

"It is expected that the VAR technology will be used in the last few games of the 2023 season."

FIFA also suggested to VPF a selection of matches to use VAR in the early stage of operations.

Accordingly, VPF should not apply VAR for tense matches, but rather in normal games so that the referee team can gradually get used to using the new technology.

In the initial matches, FIFA will send an assistant to supervise and support the operation of VAR.

VPF was also asked to work with clubs introducing VAR operations and to discuss with match supervisors and TV partners how to cooperate with each other in VAR-applied matches.

In the early stages, VAR is not required in all games but FIFA urged VPF to develop plans to carry out the next VAR training courses and have a schedule for VAR integration with all matches in the near future.

The first referees, assistants and technicians of Việt Nam approved to conduct VAR-applied matches.

Michael Bailey,  VAR Implementation Manager at FIFA, said the approval of VAR use was only the first step of a long procedure. FIFA will observe the implementation of the technology for three years.

During this time, all activities such as operation works, VAR officials on duty and data of the VAR vans must be reported to FIFA. Any mistake may cause VAR use to be halted. VNS