FIFA has recommended the use of video assistant referee (VAR) for the 2019 Women’s World Cup at France this year.
The VAR technology was used at the Men’s World Cup last year in Russia. The organizing committee of world soccer’s governing body net on Monday and agreed on the suggestion to use the same.
The decision will be finalized later this month when the FIFA council meets at Miami whether the technology will be used for this year’s tournament which runs from June 7th to July 7th.
“I can’t see them not having VAR, I think it will be an insult if we weren’t afforded the same opportunity”, said U.S coach Jill Ellis.
The VAR technology allows the on-field referee to consult with a colleague viewing video replays to help them to confirm close calls in a narrow set of instances.
FIFA hailed its introduction to men’s World Cup as a rousing success but the hesitation for the women’s tournament has changed the issue into another flash point-gender equality debate in soccer.
VAR is quickly becoming the indispensable and sometimes controversial presence at the top men’s competitions in the world and English Premier League plans to use them in their next season.
