Video Assistant Referees (VAR) must not show the “wrong idea of solidarity” by appearing to protect officials who make mistakes on the pitch, the head of FIFA’s Referees’ Committee has said.
Speaking at the World Football Summit, Italian Pierluigi Collina also stressed the importance of on-field referees using pitchside monitors during games to review decisions.
“Another thing to be considered (is) a sort of wrong idea of solidarity,” Collina said. “If you belong to a team, you always try to protect your team mates. If your team mate made a mistake you try to find everything to say ‘no, no, no, he was correct’.
“It’s a sort of friendship I’d say. Referees must understand the solidarity and friendship that they want to show is to tell their colleague ‘be careful, you might have made a mistake’.
“‘It’s better that you have another chance watching the incident on a monitor, you have assessed probably wrongly,’ so that finally you can avoid a mistake.”
Former World Cup referee Collina, 60, said wrong decisions taken in important games can “really kill a referee’s career.”
“VAR is a very important safety net,” he added.
The VAR was involved in controversy during the last round of Premier League matches, prompting Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho to say that match officials should be obliged to explain their decisions.
Mourinho was left baffled after Harry Kane was denied what looked a clear penalty early in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday, even though it was referred to the VAR officials.
On the same night Bruno Fernandes earned Manchester United a penalty at Aston Villa despite appearing to step on Ezri Konsa’s leg.
More Stories
Newcastle Sign Shirt Sponsorship Deal With Saudi Firm
Messi In Beijing For Friendly Before Move To Miami
Tension Of The First Two Sets Caused Cramping In Entire Body – Alcaraz
Shocked Kipyegon Adds 5,000m World Record To 1500m Mark In Paris
Australia Heap Misery On India In WTC Final
Latest ‘Deadline’ Looms In Man United Takeover Saga
Djokovic Edges Closer To Grand Slam Record With Spot In Last Eight
Hamilton Hails ‘Mega Job’ By Mercedes, Focused On Next Year
Verstappen Wins In Spain To Continue Red Bull Sweep
Benzema Leaves Real Madrid After 14 Years At Club
Milan Say Ibrahimovic Will Not Extend Contract
Tongue Takes Five Wickets As England Crush Ireland