An introduction to the challenges of VAR deployments

March, 2021 – version 3.1
Nicolas Hans, n.hans@broadcast-solutions.me
Copyright © 2021 Broadcast Solutions. All rights reserved. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Rolling out Video Assistant Referee for your federation
An introduction to the challenges of VAR deployments

Executive summary
Implementing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) services for your federation has
become a necessity following the update of the Laws of the Game by the
International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Until recently, most federations accepted using the services of international
service providers to ensure the roll-out and implementation of VAR across their
leagues. No longer so. The pandemic has accelerated the will of federations to
develop their national expertise and leverage local service providers.
Such an implementation requires three things: (1) comprehensive project
management, (2) technology infrastructure implementation, (3) training and
certification. As the leading European systems integrator specialised in live
production, Broadcast Solutions can help your federation set-up your national
VAR program in partnership with IFAB and FIFA. We look forward to supporting
you in this venture.
As a leading systems integrator and consulting firm, Broadcast Solutions
has an established track-record implementing stadium infrastructure, live
production systems and VAR video operations rooms.

Table of contents
1 Understanding the challenges of implementing a VAR service page 4
2 The ABCs of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) page 12
3 Possible scenarios for VOR scenarios page 26
4 Beyond infrastructure, Replay Operator training and certification are essential page 34
Appendix A: Laws of the Game 2018/19 page 72

Section 1
Understanding the challenges of implementing a VAR service

“FIFA will leverage technological advances to improve the
quality of the football experience from developing players
on the pitch, to communicating with fans at home, to
producing the optimal showcase competitions.”
FIFA Vision 2.0

VAR is one of multiple technologies managed by FIFA
Football equipment
Footballs
Futsal balls
Beach soccer balls
Playing surfaces
Artificial turf
Futsal surfaces
Refereeing technologies
Goal-line technology
Virtual offside lines
VAR technology
Game analysis technologies
Wearable technology
Electronic Performance
and Tracking System (EPTS)
source: second FIFA Quality Programme workshop, Oct. 2019

VAR contributes to the football data ecosystem
source: second FIFA Quality Programme workshop, Oct. 2019

FIFA has formalized its research and development framework
Identification
of needs
Consultation with
football stakeholders
Working with
universities and industry
Management of global
standards
Operation at
FIFA tournaments
Support of competition
organisers
Creation of a platform
to exchange feedback
and ideas
New research projects
and development of a
research network
Improvement
of the FIFA quality
programme
Implementation
of a football data
ecosystem
End-user focused and
customized support for
football stakeholders
5
steps
process
Goals
2019
-
2023
Research
and testing
Global standards
Implementation
of innovations
Consultancy
and information
source: FIFA Quality Programme workshop, Oct. 2019

VAR requirements keep evolving

The Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme
(IAAP) dictates the deployment process of VAR
The implementation of VAR involves all parties:
National football federation
Future System Technology Provider (STP)
IFAB and FIFA
Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Broadcast coverage of the games is required to provide the required video feeds:
A minimum of four (4) cameras with all super slow-motion feeds is needed
Beyond eight (8) cameras, the integration of additional cameras is the choice of the LOC
Specifications are rigid but keep evolving:
Communication matrix between referees, VAR and replay operators (RO) is formalized
Technology platform must go through formal testing and approval
Training and certification process of VAR and RO is defined
Virtual offside lines are not (yet) a requirement
The International Football Association Board
Münstergasse 9 8001 Zurich Switzerland
T: +41 (0)44 245 1886 F: +41 (0)44 245 1887 theifab.com
167
VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREES
(VARs)

Implementation handbook for competitions
conducting live experiments with video assistance for clear
errors in match-changing situations

‘minimum interference – maximum benefit’

Version 8

April 2017

Changes since Version 7 (January 2017) are shown in maroon and are mainly in response
to questions from participating competitions

The IFAB VAR handbook
and FIFA VAR IAAP specifications define
the rules of engagement

Setting-up a VAR service provider typically takes 9 months
# Project week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
1 Project kick-off
2 Ordering of base vehicles
3 Coachbuilding of vehicles
4 Ordering other components
5 Detailed design of A/V
6 Detailed design of coach
7 Delivery of A/V equipment
8 Installation of A/V
9 Commissioning
10 Factory Acceptance Test
11 Shipment to Cameroon
12 Customs clearance
13 On-site training
14 FIFA capacitation
10 weeks
11 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
8 weeks
7 weeks
7 weeks
2 weeks
6 weeks
2 weeks
2 weeks

Section 2
The ABCs of Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

Revisiting the ABCs of VAR…
Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) – He/she assists the
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): watching the ‘live’ action when the
VAR is undertaking a ‘check’ or a ‘review’, keeping notes of incidents,
communicating the outcome of a review to broadcasters.
Attacking possession phase (APP) – The starting point of the
reviewable period of play for a goal, penalty incident or Denying an
Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) offence.
On-field review (OFR) – When the referee decides to view the replay
footage in the Referee Review Area (RRA).
Referee Review Area (RRA) – Visible location outside the field of
play where the referee can view replay footage.
Replay Operator (RO) – Person with technical knowledge who
assists the VAR in the Video Operation Room (VOR).
Review assistant (RA) – Person who assists the referee in the
Referee Review Area (RRA).
Silent check – When the VAR checks a decision/incident but has no
communication with the referee (no clear error identified).
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) – A current or former referee
appointed to assist the referee to correct a clear error in a match-
changing situation (or if a serious incident is missed) by
communicating information from replay footage.
Video operation room (VOR) – The area where the VAR, AVAR and
RO view the match and have independent access to, and control of,
the broadcaster’s video replay footage. It may be in/near the stadium
or in a more central location.
Acronyms

The VAR protocol must “preserve the flow and emotions
which result from the game’s almost non-stop action”
The philosophy is “minimum interference – maximum benefit”
The goal is to determine if a referee decision was clearly wrong
(it does not seek to determine if the decision was correct)
IFAB has defined one protocol to be used by all federations

Only four (4) categories of events can be reviewed
Goals Penalty decisions Red card incidents Mistaken identity
The role of VAR is to help
the referee determine whether
there was an infraction in the
immediate buildup to a goal,
including fouls and offside.
The role of the VAR is to ensure
that no wrong decision is made in
conjunction with the award or
non-award of a penalty kick.
The role of the VAR is to ensure
that no wrong decision is made in
conjunction with the sending-off of
a player.
When the referee cautions or
sends off the wrong player, or
when he is unsure which player
should be sanctioned, the VAR
will inform the referee so that the
correct player can be disciplined.
source: FIFA VAR experience

Only four (4) categories of events can be reviewed
Goals
Offside: position and offence
Offence by the attacking team in the build-up to the goal
Ball out of play prior to the goal
Penalty decisions
Penalty kick incorrectly awarded
Penalty kick offence not penalised
Free kick awarded to the attacking team and there is
doubt whether it occurred inside or outside the penalty
area
Offence by the attacking team in the build-up to the
penalty incident
Ball out of play prior to the penalty incident
Red card incidents (not second caution after YC)
The referee suspects that a potential sending-off offence
has been missed or not clearly seen by the match officials
The VAR observes an undetected sending-off offence
The referee judges a player to have committed an
offence which may be a sending-off for denying an
obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) or a yellow
card for stopping a promising attack
Mistaken identity
If the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player
(including from the wrong team) or is unsure which player
to sanction; the VAR will assist the referee, proactively
where possible, so the correct player can be disciplined

Input of video feeds
All camera feeds from the host broadcaster must be synchronized and provided live to the VAR system:
A minimum of four (4) cameras (main, close-up and off-sides) are required
From four (4) to eight (8) cameras, all feeds should be ingested
All Super Slow-Motion (SSM) feeds must be recorded; Each SSM feed requires three (3) phases
Beyond eight (8) cameras, the capture of additional feeds is the choice of the competition organiser:
FIFA recommends to ingest all cameras that point to the field
Ultra Slow-Motion (USM) feeds can be recorded; Each USM feed requires one (1) phase
The first Replay Operator (RO) can manage up to twelve (12) feeds:
As of camera angle 13, a second RO is required
There is no limit to the number of feeds the second RO can manage
Each ingest feed needs to be named in the VAR system:
Camera presets and camera angles need to be recorded
Naming of each feed must appear on both VAR and RO screens
Requirements

Recording of video feeds
In addition to the feeds coming from the field, a camera is located inside the Video Operation Room (VOR):
Camera is located behind or on the side of the VOR
Camera angle is such that it captures all video match officials, as well as the main replay operator
The VAR system records all incoming camera feeds as well as:
The Program feed (PGM)
The feed displayed on the VAR screen
The feed coming from the camera located in the Video Operation Room (VOR)
These last three feeds must also be recorded on a back-up system:
1. The Program feed (PGM)
2. The VAR output
3. The VOR
Requirements

VAR and AVAR workstations inside the VOR
The VAR workstation includes:
The touch screen shows multiple camera feeds but no more than four (4) feeds at the same time:
Feeds should have a delay of minimum three (3) seconds
The screen supports touch operations for zoom in, zoom out, pan and tilt
A tagging device to mark potential checks and reviews on the timeline (information for the Replay Operator)
A headset and push-to-talk (PTT) button for communicating with match officials on the field
The AVAR workstation includes:
A monitor showing the live feed from the main camera (i.e., Camera 1)
A tagging device to mark potential checks and reviews on the timeline (information for the Replay Operator)
A headset and push-to-talk (PTT) button for communicating with match officials on the field

RO workstation and VOR camera inside the VOR
The RO workstation includes:
One touch screen main monitor that displays up to twelve (12) camera angles:
It allows him to access and view incidents tagged by the VAR and the AVAR
It allows for the simultaneous and synchronised replay of an event along multiple camera angles
Playout speed can be controlled (50% or frame-by-frame)
Playout can be paused at any time to allow for zoom in and zoom out
A headset for communicating with VAR and AVAR. No communication is allowed with match officials on the field
A camera is set-up in the VOR:
It films match officials present in the VOR and VAR operations during the match
It is typically positioned on the side or behind the VOR workspace
It captures all video match officials and the main replay operator
Requirements

Intercom communication matrix
All video match officials and replay operators must
be able to listen to on-field match officials during
the match
Both VAR and the AVAR must be able to speak to
on-field match official using a push-to-talk device
Replay operator(s) are not allowed to speak to on-
field match officials
LISTENING
Stadium VOR
Referee
Assistant
referee
1
Assistant
referee
2
Fourth
official
VAR
AVAR
RO
SPEAKING
Stadium
Referee
Assistant referee 1
Assistant referee 2
Fourth official
VOR
VAR
AVAR
RO
Open-mic
Push-to-talk
No communication
Not applicable
Requirements

All on-going communications must be recorded
All communications (on-field, video match officials and the main
replay operator) must be recorded by the System Technology
Provider
Integrating the wireless intercom system used by referees on the
pitch is required (Vokkero, Riedel…)
Communications should be embedded in the PGM, VAR output
and VOR feeds:
Ambiance in the PGM feed
Referee communications with the VAR feed
Ambiance from the VOR with the VOR camera feed
Requirements
Integrating VAR and referee intercom systems can
be challenging as each may use different vendors
(Riedel, Vokkero…)

Referee Review Area (RRA)
A cabled outdoor monitor is provided for On-Field Reviews (OFR):
It is located at the side of the field of play
It provides an exact (i.e., passive) reproduction of the VAR checking monitor
The feed is only visible on the RRA monitor when the referee goes to OFR
The referee cannot control the images shown on the monitor:
Only the VAR/RO control the images displayed
The referee must communicate with the VAR if he wants to see something else
than presented by the VAR/RO
Requirements

Feedback to Host Broadcaster (HB) and feed recordings
Live feedback to the Host Broadcaster (HB):
Both the VOR camera and the VAR checking monitor feeds must be fed back to the HB
Minimum feed recording requirements:
The feeds of the VOR camera, VAR checking monitor and TV Programme (including sound) must be recorded
Recording can be done by the System Technology Provider (STP), the HB or the local organizing committee (LOC)
Usually, the LOC keeps these recordings
Feed recording requirements for training:
Recording of all isolated camera feeds is recommended for training purposes and future use in a VAR simulator
Usually, these recordings are exported from the VAR system at the end of the match
Requirements

Virtual Offside Line detection has become an obligation
Video match officials are not allowed to use the virtual offside line
provided by the host broadcaster
If virtual offside lines are used, the VAR and/or RO must create those
lines independently and have control over where the lines are placed
FIFA strongly recommends that these lines be individually tested before
any live use in a match
Requirements

Section 3
Possible scenarios for a VOR deployment

A centralised video operation room (VOR) requires significant
bandwidth connectivity to each stadium
Such implementations often require stadium
infrastructure and connectivity upgrades

VAR vans provide a flexible alternative for decentralized
deployments
VAR VAN
Xeebra servers
Head Referee
VAR
AVAR
Replay Operator
Review Assistant
Connecting video outputs from the production OB
van covering the game is key to working VAR system.
Beyond a video screen, wireless audio connectivity
to review assistant and field referees is required.

The EVS Xeebra platform meets IFAB/FIFA VAR requirements
EVS Xeebra is a client-server system. Each server:
Fits in a 2RU chassis with redundant power supply
Supports up to 8 SDI 720p/1080i inputs
Provides 32 to 64 hours of storage capacity
Can run the Xeebra client application as a Virtual
Machine (VM) on top of its core services
Interconnects via a 10 Gbps Ethernet port
Eight camera angles suffice to provide a VAR service
but IFAB/FIFA recommends that all feeds be recorded:
Video sources come from the production unit (OB)
No time-code synch is required from the OB
The main Replay Operator (RO) is authorized to manage
a maximum of 12 simultaneous video feeds. As of
camera 13, a second RO is mandatory…
Beyond the routing and ingest of incoming video
sources, intercom services are required between:
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the Assistant Video
Assistant Referee (AVAR) and the RO within the Video
Operation Room (VOR)
The VAR and the referees on the pitch
The VAR and the Review Assistant (RA) located in the
Referee Review Area (RRA) located on the pitch and
used to support On-Field Reviews (OFR)

The EVS Xeebra system streamlines operations between
the VAR, the replay operator and the assistant VAR
PGM
INPUT 1 INPUT 4 INPUT 7
Replay Operator
(RO)
MAIN CAMERA / CAM 1
LIVE
PGM
PTT
Assistant VAR
(AVAR)
TAGGING DEVICE

Offside Line Position
With six + 1 positions, the layout of the proposed mobile
VOR caters for all types of games
For major games…
CHECKING WITH
3 SECONDS DELAY
MAIN CAMERA / CAM 1
LIVE
PTT
Video Assistant Referee
(VAR)
TAGGING DEVICE

Scenario A: Configuration with dedicated Offside line
RO2 VAR2 AVAR VAR RO1 QCM TG
Scenario B: Configuration without dedicated Offside line
VAR2 AVAR VAR RO1 RO2 QCM TG
SCENARIO C: Configuration without VAR2
AVAR VAR RO1 RO2 QCM TG
A VOR with SIX+1 positions offers the flexibility
to address both current and future FIFA requirements

The relationship between the Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
and the Replay Operator (RO) is important and complex
1. The VAR systematically checks every situation and decision to check if a clear error has been
made in a match-changing situation or if a severe incident or offence has been missed.
2. If no review is required, then no communication with the referee is needed: this is a “silent
check”.
3. There is at least one RO sitting with the VAR to assist with the selection and loading of
footage. If there are more than twelve (12) camera feeds, then a second RO is present.
4. As a VAR becomes more experienced in using the equipment, he/she may be able to self-
select the footage. The role of the RO then becomes essential when there are multiple,
simultaneous incidents or when several incidents occur in quick succession.
5. The RO should help the VAR select the best camera angle, especially if it shows something
that the VAR appears not to have seen. When the RO believes that the VAR may benefit from
looking at another camera angle, the RO must ensure that the VAR is aware of this specific
footage.
6. Although the RO is not part of the decision-making process, he/she has a responsibility to help
the VAR (and ultimately the referee) make the correct decision.

Section 4
Beyond infrastructure, training and certification are essential

Setting up VAR for a federation is a journey
The roll-out of VAR requires:
Dedicated infrastructure
Trained technical operators
Certified Video Assistant Referees
A VAR implementation requires 9 months or more:
Building infrastructure
Training operators
Collaborating with IFAB and FIFA authorities
Certifying operations
As a VAR Technology Provider referenced by FIFA, Broadcast Solutions can help
your federation implement its own VAR services:
Infrastructure design and manufacturing
Project management and training services

Appendix A: 132 (92) mentions of VAR across the Laws…
Laws of the Game 2018/19

Laws of the Game 2018/19 – Page 41
In matches using VARs there must be a video operation room (VOR) and at least one referee review area (RRA).
Video Operation Room (VOR)
The VOR is where the video assistant referee (VAR), assistant VAR (AVAR) and replay operator (RO) work; it may be
in/close to the stadium or at a more distant location. Only authorised persons are permitted to enter the VOR or
communicate with VAR, AVAR and RO during the match.
A player, substitute or substituted player who enters the VOR will be sent off; a team official who enters the VOR will be
dismissed from the technical area.
Referee review area (RRA)
In matches using VARs there must be at least one RRA where the referee undertakes an ‘on-field review’ (OFR). The
RRA must be:
in a visible location outside the field of play
clearly marked
A player, substitute or substituted player who enters the RRA will be cautioned; a team official who enters the RRA will
be publicly given an official warning (or cautioned where YCs are used for team officials).

The use of video assistant referees (VARs) is only permitted where the match/ competition organiser has fulfilled all the
VAR protocol and implementation requirements (as set out in the VAR Handbook) and has received written permission
from The IFAB and FIFA.
The referee may be assisted by a video assistant referee (VAR) only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious
missed incident’ in relation to:
goal/no goal
penalty/no penalty
direct red card (not second caution)
mistaken identity when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team
The assistance from the video assistant referee (VAR) will relate to using replay(s) of the incident. The referee will make
the final decision which may be based solely on the information from the VAR and/or the referee reviewing the replay
footage directly (‘on-field review’).
Except for a ‘serious missed incident’, the referee (and where relevant other ‘on-field’, match officials) must always make
a decision (including a decision not to penalise a potential offence); this decision does not change unless it is a ‘clear and
obvious error’.

Reviews after play has restarted
If play has stopped and restarted, the referee may only undertake a ‘review’, and take the appropriate disciplinary
sanction, for mistaken identity or for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely
offensive, insulting and/or abusive gesture(s).

Other match officials (two assistant referees, fourth official, two additional assistant referees, reserve assistant
referee, video assistant referee (VAR) and at least one assistant VAR (AVAR)) may be appointed to matches. They will
assist the referee in controlling the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game but the final decision will always
be taken by the referee.
The VAR and AVAR are the ‘video’ match officials and assist the referee in accordance with the VAR protocol as
determined by The IFAB.

A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official who may assist the referee to make a decision using replay footage
only for a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ relating to a goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red
card (not a second caution) or a case of mistaken identity when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the
offending team
An assistant video assistant referee (AVAR) is a match official who helps the VAR primarily by:
watching the television footage while the VAR is busy with a ‘check’ or a ‘review’
keeping a record of VAR-related incidents and any communication or technology problems
assisting the VAR’s communication with the referee, especially communicating with the referee when the VAR is
undertaking a ‘check’/ ‘review’ e.g. to tell the referee to ‘stop play’ or ‘delay the restart’ etc.
recording the time ‘lost’ when play is delayed for a ‘check’ or a ‘review’
communicating information about a VAR-related decision to relevant parties

Laws of the Game 2018/19 – Other references 1/2
Allowance for time lost (page 81)
delays relating to VAR ‘checks’ and ‘reviews’
VAR protocol (pages 134 – 142)
Law 5 (page 146)
Reference to video assistant referees (VARs) and assistant VARs (AVARs) and the ability of a referee to use video replays
for decision-making as part of VAR system
Inclusion of the referee ‘check’ and ‘review’ signals used in the VAR process
Law 6 (page 146)
Distinction between ‘on-field’ match officials and ‘video’ match officials
Duties of the video assistant referee (VAR) and assistant VAR (AVAR)
Law 7 (page 146)
Allowance must be made for time ‘lost’ for drinks breaks and VAR ‘checks’/ ‘reviews’

Laws of the Game 2018/19 – Other references 2/2
Details of Law changes, pages 146 – 165
Referee terms, page 176
‘Video’ match official
These are the VAR and AVAR who assist the referee in accordance with the VAR protocol • Assistant video assistant
referee (AVAR) A current or former referee/assistant referee appointed to assist the video assistant referee (VAR) •
Video assistant referee (VAR) A current or former referee appointed to assist the referee by communicating information
from replay footage only in relation to a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in one of the reviewable
categories

Broadcast Solutions Middle East F.Z. L.L.C.
PO Box 502645
Building 4, Office G14
Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 551 9792
Fax: +971 4 551 9757
Email: info@broadcast-solutions.me

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