The chief of FFA, David Gallop, says a higher threshold for using the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) needs to be put in place to avoid referees overthinking decisions.
His comments come after much debate over whether the VAR is beneficial for the game, with many complaints coming from the first two rounds of this A-League season.
The system was introduced last year and faced much controversy because the referees seemed to count on the technology instead of making tough decisions themselves, according to some former players and coaches.
Gallop admits the VAR can be frustrating but he doesn’t believe it’s a problem. In his opinion, decisions made using the VAR have only affected one goal this year.
However, he did concede the technology interrupts the flow of the game and says the A-League boss Greg Rourke will discuss the issue with referees this week.
“We need to make sure that people realise that there are great benefits to VAR” Gallop explained, “We don't want to see howlers determine results in games."
“We want to remind the referees this week that there should be a high threshold for intervention.
"That they need to make correct decisions, of course, but we don't want to see decisions that are drawn out and effectively nitpicking around a piece of play."
The disallowed goal he was referring to was scored in the match between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
Wanderers player Roly Bonevacia scored, but the goal was not counted after the VAR indicated another player was offside.
Markus Babbel, the coach of Western Sydney Wanderers, aggressively hit a sign on the pitch in response to what he saw as an incorrect decision. He received a red card for dissent and his team went on to lose 2-0.
Before this, in the match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in the first round, the VAR caused more controversy. The referee declared a foul occurred outside the box but upon reviewing the footage, he decided the player was tackled inside the box. Melbourne City received a penalty, winning the game 2-1.
Current FIFA rules declare decisions made using the VAR cannot be explained to spectators, neither in the stadium nor in the broadcast, which creates more confusion and anger towards the technology and the decisions.
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