ABSTRACT
The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 signaled a new phase in football. Top-flight domestic leagues, continental competitions, and FIFA tournaments now rely on the VAR to ensure that a match is free from critical officiating errors. Evidence suggests that officiating quality before the VAR was already high. But with the introduction of the VAR, the accuracy is near perfect. Fans, however, have mixed reactions. Even a clear and simple decision by the referee and the VAR frequently results in a controversy. Fan tweets show that a general lack of knowledge about the Laws of the Game and unfamiliarity with officiating procedures, as well as fans’ emotional investment in their favorite team make it near impossible for the VAR to convince fans about the accuracy of a call. Technology has changed football while many fans continue to adhere to a traditionalist and purist view of the sport.
