UEFA to meet European leagues this summer over VAR reform | OneFootball

UEFA has called a summer summit with Europe’s leading leagues to align how VAR is applied, seeking fewer marginal interventions. UEFA’s head of refereeing Roberto Rosetti confirmed the meeting and said the focus is on consistency and the technology’s original purpose.

VAR was rolled out across LaLiga and Europe in 2018-19, with yearly adjustments intended to refine its use. Its application has differed by competition, from domestic leagues to the Champions League.

Rosetti argued that the game has drifted from why VAR was introduced, and that football should not hinge on microscopic calls decided by millimetres. He maintained that the system works well for objective decisions, while interpretative calls are tougher and should hinge on clear and obvious errors.

Usage varies too. The Premier League averages 0.275 VAR interventions per match, the Bundesliga 0.38, Serie A 0.44, LaLiga 0.47, and the Champions League about 0.45.

UEFA is pushing for a common technical standard across competitions to curb divergent interpretations, notably around handball in the area. Greater coherence is seen as key so players, coaches and supporters can understand decisions within a single framework. The summer talks are intended to set a path towards uniform interpretation and clearer VAR protocols, improving transparency and consistency.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo