VAR Referee Class (4th Edition) Enters Critical Training Stage
On the morning of May 26, at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, 19 referees and assistant referees officially entered the third phase of their training, taking place from May 26 to May 31. This stage involves on-field practice during unofficial matches as part of the fourth VAR Referee Training Course.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Dang Thanh Ha – Head of the VFF Arbitration Committee, Mr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc – General Director of VPF Company, along with the course instructors.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc emphasized the important role of VAR technology after three seasons of implementation in Vietnam, noting that this year, several matches in the National First Division have also adopted VAR. He affirmed that, as the entity responsible for managing, organizing, and operating national professional football tournaments, VPF Company always works closely with relevant parties to ensure that the VAR referee team meets professional standards, contributing to the overall success of the competitions.
During this crucial training phase, participants will undergo six consecutive days of intensive learning and on-field practice, working through realistic simulated scenarios—from short exercises to full 90-minute matches. In addition to direct instruction from instructors of the VFF Arbitration Committee, FIFA instructors will supervise and assess each referee’s performance using daily video recordings, before making decisions on certification for officiating in matches involving VAR.
The list of 19 referees participating includes 5 national first division assistant referees, 6 referees from the national first division, and 8 non-professional referees. This is the second time the VFF Refereeing Committee has collaborated with VPF Company to conduct combined training for both professional and non-professional referees and assistant referees, aiming to prepare a succession force and ensure the continuous and stable application and operation of VAR.
After three successful training courses, 36 Vietnamese referees and assistant referees have been certified in VAR officiating. Several skilled non-professional referees have also been assigned as VAR assistant referees (AVAR) in matches of the 2024/25 national professional football season, contributing to the improvement of refereeing quality in domestic competitions.
