Continuing to implement the 2nd VAR Referee training course
As part of the plan to apply VAR technology to matches at the V.League, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), and the VFF’s Arbitration Committee continues to organize the second training course in the LAB room for VAR referees, taking place from April 18 to May 3 in Hanoi.
Attending the opening ceremony of the second VAR Referee training course were Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan – VFF President; Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi – VFF General Secretary; Mr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc – General Director of VPF Company, Chairman of Organizing Committee for National Professional Tournaments 2023; Mr. Dang Thanh Ha – Chairman of the VFF’s Arbitration Committee with the lecturers of the Arbitration Committee, 18 referees and assistant referees.
Previously, from February 20 to March 4, the above 18 referees and assistant referees (including 4 FIFA referees, 12 national referees and 2 FIFA assistants) completed the familiarization training course with VAR technology level 1 on a simulation system with simple situations. During the second training period lasting 16 consecutive days, 18 Referees and Assistant Referees will be guided, trained, and familiar with VAR in the LAB by the referees and FIFA instructors with more specialized requirements, such as analysis and evaluation of complicated situations clips 3-5 minutes long, with the application of a live or pre-recorded 90-minute match. This is the next step, getting closer to the fact that VAR can soon be applied to matches in the V.League, thereby supporting the referees to better fulfill their tasks on the field.
After this training session in the LAB room, in the next training sessions, 18 referees and assistant referees will continue to undergo training sessions on VAR vehicles. Mr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc – General Director of VPF said that it is expected that in May or June, equipment serving VAR technology will be deliveried to Vietnam. Live practice on VAR devices is the final training step for VAR Referees. All VAR Referee training processes will be recorded and sent to FIFA for evaluation and comments for each Referee. VAR will only be officially applied after FIFA approves the implementation of all the implementation steps on VAR vehicle technology and referee training process.
“In the development of modern football, VAR technology is very important, helping to minimize unnecessary errors of referees. With the reality of Vietnam’s football today, VAR soon appearing in the V.League is not only the desire of the clubs, but also the desire of the VFF, the VPF Company, the Arbitration Committee in creating a good and more attractive and fairer tournaments”, said Mr. Nguyen Minh Ngoc.
Speaking at the training course, Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan – VFF President emphasized: “The VFF, as well as the VPF Company, are very sympathetic to the difficulties and pressures of the referees. Referees are like players in that they must be well prepared in order to have a good performance. Therefore, the Arbitration Committee must research a solution to create the best performance for the Referee, fast-paced with the pace of the tournament, meeting the requirements of referee quality. The application of VAR technology is also the trend of football development, reducing pressure on the Referees, creating good conditions for the Referees to complete their tasks. For the VAR project, Vietnam is receiving great support from FIFA, in addition to the initiative from the VPF Company, the organizers of professional football tournaments. The trend of VAR being covered at all professional matches is the goal, but technology is only a supporting tool, the most important thing is still the human factor. Therefore, for successful implementation, the training of referees at this initial stage is a prerequisite. Referees need to be focused, responsible and especially constantly hone, train and pass the VAR training course to be able to bring VAR technology to professional football leagues as soon as possible. The Standing Committee has directed the VPF Company, the Board of General Secretariat to support and create the best conditions for the referees during the period of studying and training VAR Referee.