Roberto Rosetti Discusses VAR Consistency and Future Improvements

omidbasir- Roberto Rosetti has served as UEFA’s chief refereeing officer since 2018.

In remarks at the UEFA Congress on Thursday, Rosetti expressed concerns that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is becoming overly meticulous. He highlighted the necessity for a consistent interpretation of handball rules.

While acknowledging that technology is effective for clear-cut decisions such as offside, Rosetti pointed out that subjective scenarios have resulted in excessive interventions. This season, the Premier League records the lowest VAR intervention rate among Europe’s top leagues at 0.27 per game. However, this reduction in reviews has not diminished the controversies surrounding decisions.

Following the Premier League, the Bundesliga and La Liga have intervention rates of 0.38, Serie A at 0.44, and Ligue 1 at 0.47. The Champions League also exhibits a high ratio of 0.45 interventions per game.

“At the end of the season, we need to discuss this matter,” Rosetti stated. “We cannot continue down the path of microscopic VAR interventions. We cherish football for what it is.”

Rosetti noted that increasing pressure from fans and the media to utilize VAR for subjective decisions has contributed to the problem, emphasizing, “We must remember the purpose of VAR: to ensure justice. It benefits fans and everyone involved, as the right decisions are crucial on the pitch.”

He further asserted that European football must adopt a singular technical language regarding handball interpretations, as discrepancies across leagues—such as the more lenient approach of the Premier League—are problematic. “We cannot afford to have different technical languages across Europe,” he stated. “This is particularly important as teams participate in European competitions.”

Rosetti indicated that further discussions are necessary before the next season to achieve a uniform and consistent interpretation of the rules.

He appeared to oppose the expansion of VAR’s scope, as the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is anticipated to approve reviews for corners and second yellow cards at its meeting on February 28. “A crucial principle is that we must not delay the restart of play,” he commented. “If any intervention delays this, it could be detrimental to football.”

Rosetti expressed enthusiasm for any changes aimed at expediting the game’s pace, emphasizing that football is characterized by intensity and emotions, not by delays in play.

At a recent meeting with Europe’s top referees, Rosetti underscored the issue of players going to ground too easily due to minimal contact. Officials have also been instructed to pay close attention to actions that block goalkeepers during corners, particularly when such actions hinder their ability to play the ball.

Lastly, Rosetti voiced his concerns regarding the proposed change to the offside rule by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, which would require daylight between the attacker and defender. He warned that this could significantly favor attackers and have substantial tactical implications.

Pending approval at the IFAB meeting, this proposal is set to be trialed in the Canadian Premier League beginning in April.