South African retired referee Victor Gomes is upbeat about the future of football if the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) continues to be in use.
Gomes recently hung up his whistle after his participation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 40-year-old and assistant referee Zakhele Siwela were the only two South African representatives at the prestigious tournament.
VAR was of help to Gomes when he officiated the group stage match between Spain and Japan. Samurai Blue humbled the 2010 world champions with a 2-1 score-line.
Japan’s second goal was scored by Ao Tanaka from a cutback that seemed to have crossed the line.
Officials initially gave the goal kick to Spain before a lengthy review that ended up in Japan being awarded a goal.
GOMES: ‘WE NEED VAR’
“VAR is here to stay,” he said during the interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“We need VAR, we cannot continue without VAR.
“It is the future, we’ve been told by our international bosses that it is the future and it will remain here.
“And I think it’s a matter of time before it comes to South Africa.”
Gomes feels that the public isn’t educated enough about VAR principles.
He went on to emphasise that all incidents that are meant to be reviewed are always checked thoroughly even when the match isn’t stopped.
PUBLIC’S MISCONCEPTION ON VAR
“We need to get people how VAR works,” he added.
“A lot of misconception on VAR is noted.
“I heard many people many messages, people asking me why VAR hasn’t checked.
“It’s not like that, they do check everything.
“VAR was working correctly and people don’t understand how it works.
“Even in the stadiums, you’ll see that it was the first time they were showing the spectators at the stadium what was happening and how it was happening.”
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