OTHER The Belgian Football Association is investigating whether coaches will soon be allowed to request VAR checks themselves. According to information from the Referee Department, a pilot project with so-called challenges is being considered, similar to the system that has been in place in hockey for some time.
Currently, only the VAR can ask the referee to review a phase. Under the new proposal, coaches would be allowed two challenges per match. If their protest is rejected, they lose a challenge. If they are proven right, they keep it. This would only apply to phases with a potentially significant impact, such as red cards, penalties, or disallowed goals.
The football association wants to test the system in the second division first, but must obtain permission from the international regulator IFAB to do so. FIFA is also currently testing the concept, including during the U20 World Cup.
Initial reactions to the proposal have been largely positive: many coaches and players hope that the new system will bring more transparency and fairness to VAR decisions.
Source: © Internal source
