When Ademola Lookman’s goal against Libya inside the Stadium of Champions in Uyo was chalked off, not a few fans looked towards the stadium’s big screen for the replay of the scenario leading to when and how the disallowed goal. Their primary objective was to watch the replays to find out what the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) would say. To their dismay, play resumed as soon as the referee identified with his assistant referee’s offside decision. Really! Just like that? were some the words from the fans signifying their disgust that one of the biggest stadia in Nigeria had no VAR machine,
It didn’t matter if the goal was disallowed by the custodians of the game for FIFA here -the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). After all, Nigeria won the game with a last-ditch effort. For the fans inside the stadium and those at home around the globe, the disallowed goal was the subject of discussion with many wondering why no stadium in Nigeria has a VAR machine. How much would it cost the owners of such stadia to install the VAR machine, reminiscent of what is obtained in big stadia in serious-minded football nations?
Had Nigeria needed more than one goal to qualify for the next round, for instance, such a wrongly disallowed goal would have stolen Nigeria’s thunder. Perhaps, that would be a call to quickly install a VAR machine in Uyo Stadium. The fans could also take the laws into their own hands, and wreak havoc after the game, especially if the game is against any of rival African nations. Shouldn’t we task our soccer administrators to do everything within their power to make the installation of VAR machines on all grounds where domestic games are being played weekly?
I posed this question to a top technocrat, Chuks Sokari and he revealed that: ”The installation cost of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system can vary depending on specific needs and the scale of implementation. A basic (entry-level) VAR system which includes cameras, monitors, and necessary equipment, is estimated at around $50,000 to $100,000. On the other hand, a Full VAR System which comes with more advanced features and additional cameras costs significantly more, potentially ranging from $200,000 to $500,000. For competitions with smaller broadcast setups, a VAR Light system can be a more cost-effective option, with costs ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. There may be additional costs for installation, typically ongoing maintenance, software updates, and technical support, as well as training of personnel.
”Based on the above, the cost of installation of VAR nationwide would involve determining the number of stadia to be covered,” Sokari stated.
Would the Nigerian sports ecosystem embrace the need to have all the stadiums, where the domestic league matches are played, fitted with VAR machines? Not likely going by the NFF President’s utterances which seem to suggest otherwise. Our sports administrators always give the excuse of high purchase of the VAR machines rather than thinking of how to engage the private sector to invest in it stating what they would gain from such a business arrangement.
Going by the statement attributed to the President of the NFF as stated above, a minimum of six stadia might be involved in the pilot phase of implementation, and the cost of acquisition could be extrapolated from the above estimates based on the option(s) considered. While this would help to improve officiating, a better option would be to go full blast and implement VAR use in all football matches. Selective implementation does have some drawbacks, including a lack of confidence in and controversies over the results of matches played in non-VAR stadia.
Again, Sokari, prefers a pragmatic approach towards the enforcement of VAR pointing out that: ”Nigeria has approximately 2,000 registered referees and this forms the pool of personnel to be recruited to handle the VAR. Though the referees are trained, operating VAR requires specialised skills. Fortunately, recent efforts by the NFF and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have seen Nigerian referees undergo training in VAR operations. Only last month, some referees from the country recently returned from a CAF-organised course in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, equipped with enhanced knowledge of VAR operations. Having promised earlier to introduce VAR in Nigeria, the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau would appear to be keeping to his promise.
According to Sokari: ”Notwithstanding the above, not all the referees may meet the skills necessary for operating VAR; however, it is expected that approximately 10-15% of these referees might be trainable for VAR functions based on technical aptitude. Consequently, given that VAR operations require technical expertise in video technology and decision-making, Nigeria may need to recruit additional personnel with backgrounds in sports technology, video analysis, or related fields.”
As interesting as the submissions of Sokari are, a trade that has been perceived as a hobby, shouldn’t we toy with the idea of professionalising refereeing in a bid to raise the standard which would rub off on the quality of the referees and the approaches to the trade?
”Training VAR operators involves both theoretical and practical components. This includes classroom-based training on the VAR protocol, on-pitch simulated practice sessions, and live match testing. The cost of training can vary based on the duration, location, and depth of the programme. On average, the cost of training a single VAR operator ranges from $1,000 to $3,000,” Sokari insisted when asked to estimate how much it would cost intending stadium owners to train and expose personnel to operate the VAR machines in their premises.
”The introduction of VAR technology in Nigerian football refereeing would be a significant investment that holds the promise of improving the quality of officiating and the overall integrity of the game. Amongst other benefits, VAR significantly reduces mistakes in crucial match moments, such as goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity in bookings. It also provides referees with immediate access to video replays; VAR supports better outcomes and thus promotes fairness in the game.”
What stands out clearly is that it would be easier for the proverbial Carmel to pass through the eye of the needle than for any meaningful attempt made to have the VAR machine installed in key venues where games are played. It would take a stadium riot arising from the absence of VAR to decide an obvious goal in Nigeria’s favour that those who run our sport would start the process of acquiring one or two. Those who administer sports in this country aren’t proactive on this kind of tricky issue until a calamity occurs.
Pray, that the football world has left us behind with the introduction of the VAR. In Nigeria, we are pretending that it doesn’t matter now until it becomes a prerequisite for hosting international matches. It would be too late because of the cost of installation, and training of the personnel to operate the VAR machine. Pity!
