Andriy Pavelko: “The Premier League will decide to what extent VAR will be involved in the matches of the Ukrainian Championship”

13.09.2018 19:38

In November 2017, FFU President Andriy Pavelko initiated for the first time the introduction of the VAR (video assistant referee) system in Ukraine, which helps referees to understand difficult situations that arise during football matches. Even then, the FFU began negotiations with FIFA and IFAB (International Council of Football Organizations), which control this issue. So far, Andriy Pavelko has commented on the preparations for the introduction of the VAR system in Ukraine on the official FFU website.

- It is not necessary to speak about expediency of introduction of VAR system in Ukraine once again, - Andrey Vasilyevich told. - This system has already proved its effectiveness in the leading European championships and during the World Cup. Therefore, we are simply obliged to use modern technologies in domestic football - despite the additional financial costs. At least in order to reduce the impact of refereeing errors on the results of football matches. We held relevant talks with FIFA and IFAB and received their consent to introduce a test regime.

Today we can talk about two VAR systems that exist in the world. One of them has a base office, and all the stadiums have the appropriate equipment and are connected to the central office, where there is an analysis of conflicts.

This option, in our opinion, has a number of disadvantages. For example, there is a high probability that in a short period of time the equipment will be significantly modified and will need to be replaced. Also in our situation, the fact that Ukraine has a serious rotation of stadiums where Premier League matches are held adds to the complexity, so we will have to constantly install equipment in new arenas. Because of this, this option does not suit us from a financial point of view.

Therefore, the FFU Executive Committee approved the decision to continue the negotiation process with representatives of EVS. This is a mobile version of the VAR system mounted in a car van. A team of referees arrives at the stadium, the system is connected to the broadcast system, and the work of assessing controversial situations is carried out directly at the stadium.

The FFU assumes the responsibility to finance the test regime of VAR implementation in Ukraine. That is, we will buy the appropriate equipment mounted on the car platform so that the arbitrators and arbitrators can work out their interaction with the VAR system.

All this will take place in cooperation with the Premier League. After the test period, the Premier League together with the clubs, its partners, will decide how many more such mobile VAR systems will be needed to improve the quality of arbitration.

A similar system is already in use in Poland. We invited our Polish colleagues to share their experience. I hope that by the end of the year we will work out all the technical aspects and already in the second part of the championship we will be able to fully use the VAR system.

After that, I repeat, the Premier League must decide to what extent the VAR system will be used during championship matches. Let me remind you that from next season all television rights to the championship matches will belong to the Premier League, and this should significantly simplify the procedure for introducing VAR in Ukraine.