VAR in Montenegro - it is real

It is very realistic that in the near future we will have VAR technology, FSCG has the infrastructural capacity and educated staff to enter into the realization of this project, he told "Vijesta" Amil Gerina, instructor for referees at the Montenegrin House of Football.

VAR (Video assistant referee) technology has already made its home in football: ever since the Italian Serie A and the Bundesliga in the 2017/18 season. introduced videos as an aid to referees, and at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, VAR made its debut on the biggest possible stage, there are fewer and fewer matches in European football - both in major leagues and in national and club UEFA and FIFA competitions, where referees do not have this kind of type of decision-making assistance.

Football is moving forward and the day is probably not far when, at least in first league club competitions, VAR technology will be a mandatory "prop", something that cannot be done without.

And what is the situation with us?

The VAR system "surrounded" Montenegro - when will it arrive?

Events in the Meridianbet 1st Montenegrin football league in the last few rounds, and several dilemmas that the referee's eye can hardly clarify live - for example, whether the ball crossed the goal line with its full circumference in the match Petrovac - Arsenal, where the home team is complaining that it was damaged (even the TV footage does not solve the dilemma), whether the ball bounced behind the goal line after the Iskra player hit the bar, also against Petrovac - they once again brought up the issue of introducing VAR in Montenegrin club football.

Meanwhile, while the "most important sideline" is developing at lightning speed, VAR has become something that is not only available to football's richest and most powerful countries.

It has come to the point that VAR has literally "surrounded" Montenegro and that the leagues of all the countries bordering us (Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo), except Bosnia and Herzegovina, have a video system that helps the referees.

How realistic is it and what needs to happen in order for VAR to be present in Montenegro soon, we asked our Football Association.

"The judge organization FSCG always tries to keep up with all the current events in the world of judging in Europe. In this regard, we considered the possibility of introducing VAR technology in the national championship. In January 2023, a meeting was held in Podgorica where, in addition to the head of the FSCG and the representative of the Refereeing Commission of the FS of Montenegro, there was also a representative of an international company that deals with the production of competitions that have VAR technology. He presented the options and possibilities for the introduction and implementation of VAR technology in the domestic championship. Currently, internal analyzes are underway within the FSCG, in order to see the modules and the time frame in which we could start the implementation of that project", said Amil Gerina.

What are the main obstacles? In a situation where a good part of the first league stadiums do not have the right conditions for spectators, for the work of the media as well, it is clear that VAR technology cannot be introduced just like that.

According to Amil Gerina, the infrastructure problems that undoubtedly exist are - undeniably solvable.

"There are several factors that represent challenges that would be faced in the implementation of such a large project. First, there is the problem of infrastructure. Based on the already done analysis, we can state that we have several stadiums that already meet the requirements for the installation and implementation of the VAR project. Then, there is a larger number of stadiums that, with smaller investments in infrastructure, could meet the minimum requirements for the implementation of this technology. A very small number of stadiums would need significant investments in order to adapt to the application of VAR technology. Also, the strength and stability of the Internet signal is very important, which is a factor that could probably be solved. Another significant segment is the trained human staff, and we are not referring to judges. We are primarily referring to cameramen and VAR operators. In order to use the system at its full capacity, in addition to the training of the people who use the system (referees), the training and expertise of the cameramen and operators who work with the referees in the VAR room is essential. Finally, the financial aspect should not be neglected either, because the use of the system requires significant financial resources not only to buy and install the equipment, but it would also significantly increase the costs of the domestic league on an annual basis," says Gerina.

Who all uses VAR? It is in Kosovo, but not in Sweden

It is interesting and only a cursory look at the list of countries that use VAR technology for their first league (and sometimes second league) competitions. And it's not just that Montenegro is "the only one in Europe" that doesn't use VAR.

It exists in Kosovo, it also exists in Albania, but that is why it is not yet in some much richer countries, such as the two Scandinavian ones: Sweden and Finland.

Recently, at a seminar for the media in Nyon, chaired by the head of UEFA's refereeing department, a former famous Italian referee Roberto Rossetti, countries that have contact with VAR are divided into three categories.

In the first there are leagues that are already experienced and that can "give lectures" regarding the use of video technology in football: the five strongest leagues, followed by Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, but also Switzerland, Greece, Israel...

In the second category are the countries that recently introduced the use of VAR, among them four ex-Yu leagues: Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Kosovo, but also Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, the Czech Republic...

The third group includes six countries where VAR is in the implementation phase: Scotland, Norway, Armenia, Georgia, Latvia and Kazakhstan.

Montenegro is in the virtual, fourth group, which until now had no points of contact with VAR technology. There are 20 national leagues, out of 55 UEFA members, so more than a third, and apart from the smallest championships in micro-states (San Marino, Gibraltar, Andorra...), and Sweden, Finland, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is also Iceland , Wales, both Irelands, Moldova, Lithuania, Belarus...

Help FIFA

The task of introducing VAR technology has been significantly facilitated by all national associations, as the project is largely managed by FIFA, and there is also considerable financial assistance.

"FIFA is responsible for the certification of the system and the people who will use it. In addition to one-time financial assistance, which would be sufficient to purchase some equipment, FIFA's assistance is reflected in the sending of instructors who would educate officials and operators. In addition, FIFA monitors and supervises the entire certification process, which usually takes between nine and 12 months. There are clear steps and conditions that must be met in order to obtain a license to use the system," notes Gerina.

VAR room - in the van or in the FSCG premises?

What is already clear, when Montenegro introduces VAR technology for Meridianbet 1. CFL, VAR rooms will not be in the stadiums, due to lack of conditions.

This is nothing new, nor unusual - and during Champions League matches, for example, VAR rooms are not in stadiums in Madrid, Milan or Manchester, but in Nyon, the headquarters of UEFA.

Montenegro has two available options, says Amil Gerina:

"A VAR room in the FSCG premises - a system that would be very interesting for us because the House of Football has those capacities. The key to implementing this system is a strong and reliable internet signal from each stadium to the House of Football. This is the most feasible option for us. Another is the use of VAR vans that would be brought in front of each stadium - this is a model used by many countries, which would probably be more expensive compared to the central VAR room in the FSCG", says Gerina.

Video technology to assist referees: These are the necessary steps

No country has introduced VAR technology overnight. It's a process...

"The first step is for the national association to apply to FIFA to enter the certification process. Then a team is formed that will deal with the implementation of the project, consisting of experts in the judicial profession and other relevant individuals necessary for the implementation of the process. After the introductory meeting, the provider is selected, as there are several companies dealing with VAR technology. The price varies depending on the type of technology used. The chosen provider brings the simulators and moves to the certification of the stadium in official persons. Every stadium has to go through the certification steps and every referee (those refereeing the matches as well as those in the VAR room, including the operators) has to get certified in order to use the system", explains Amil Gerina.