Soccer: Controversial VAR set to debut at Russia 2018

The referee makes the sign of a screen with his fingers and goes to consult a screen on the edge of the pitch - the controversial VAR, video assistant refereeing system, will make its World Cup debut at Russia 2018.

 “It’s about avoiding major and obvious mistakes, not refereeing with technology, the goal has never been to check every minor incident,” explained Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, during a VAR training programme organised at the Italian national training centre at Coverciano near Florence.

In Russia, 13 referees will officiate exclusively by watching the control screens. And some of the 35 referees selected to officiate on the pitch will also move into the role of video referees for one or more matches.