QFA referees department uses VAR in local tournaments

Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) referees department has applied the Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) technology in QSL Cup, Qatargas U-23 League matches and QFA U-17 Cup semifinals.

The QFA seek to obtain the FIFA approval to be able to apply the technology inside the stadium in the forthcoming Qatar Cup matches.

The VAR was applied in a number of Qatargas U-23 League matches including Al Gharafa vs Al Markhiya and Umm Salal vs Al Arabi.

“The process of implementing the technology is ongoing and is working more effectively now than when it started,” said Executive Director of the QFA Referees Department Neji Jouini. “We have seen great results, and the most important thing is that people are starting to accept the implementation of this technology more than before because accepting a new concept takes time.”

Last week, the technology was also applied in the QFA U-17 Cup semifinals which saw Gharafa take on Arabi and Al Sadd face Al Duhail.

In a move aimed at optimising the application of the significant technology, the referees department is intending to use it in the 20th round of Qatargas U-23 League on April 2.