At the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales, Collina remarked, “In Italy, we say that in every wonderful marriage, there’s a crisis after seven years.” He emphasized that while fans were initially captivated by VAR, disillusionment has set in after several years of its application. Many supporters are now urging its discontinuation due to ongoing frustrations.
Despite the current “crisis,” significant changes are coming to the VAR protocol. IFAB has approved capabilities for video officials to review inappropriate second yellow cards, a modification prompted by a recent controversial sending-off in Serie A involving Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. Moreover, the new rules will allow checks on incorrectly awarded corner kicks, reflecting the evolving needs of the sport.
Collina stated that the original VAR framework, set in 2016, has become outdated, necessitating these updates as technology has advanced and expectations have shifted.
In addition to VAR updates, referees will gain new tools aimed at expediting gameplay. Starting from the upcoming World Cup, officials will have the ability to impose a five-second countdown for throw-ins if they suspect players are delaying, alongside enforcing a strict 10-second limit for substitutions.
Football is also considering a challenge system akin to those in tennis and cricket, currently being trialed in select regions. According to Collina, this approach could enhance the game’s dynamism by allowing coaches to contest decisions, effectively shifting part of the decision-making responsibility onto them.
