PSSI And PT LIB Plan VAR Trials In The 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series

Ratu Tisha Destria (center), Deputy Chairman of PSSI, during a VAR simulation at JSI Resort (VOI/Ferry Tri Adi Sasono).

JAKARTA - PSSI and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) continue to finalize preparations for the implementation of video assistant referee (VAR) before being used in Indonesian competitions.

VAR demonstrations have been ongoing since June 2023. In addition to equipment installations, several stages have been carried out. Starting from VAR equipment simulations with prop models to date entering the application in the match.

VAR simulations in this match are the last stage of the preparations. After that, FIFA will come to supervise what has been carried out regarding VAR.

FIFA will also conduct approval for trials in official matches if it is felt that the implementation of VAR during the simulation is going well and correct.

One of PSSI and PT LIB's plans for the VAR trial in the official match is the 2023/2024 Liga 1 championship series.

This means that the plan is still ongoing on the track, namely the VAR trial in May 2024.

"Yes, the championship series (League 1 2023/2024). Before we officially launch this (VAR), we will have two more trials so that this is completely mature," said Ratu Thasha Destria, Deputy Chairperson of PSSI, while monitoring the last-stage VAR simulation at JSI Resort, Megamendung, Saturday, February 17, 2024.

However, before testing in Liga 1 2023/2024, PSSI and PT LIB had an agenda of VAR trials in lower-level competitions, such as the Elite Pro Academy.

The experiment must be carried out in an official competition even though it is at a lower level in order to get an official match atmosphere. In addition, PSSI and PT LIB also want the experiment to be monitored directly by FIFA so that they can get input and improvements if necessary.

"We are also thinking about some trials because they are needed, yes. The official trial is March 7, 2024. Then the Elite Pro Academy (will also be tested) and there will be next trials."

"We are indeed adjusting the schedule of FIFA instructors. So far they plan to come to supervise and see this last stage of VAR training from March 1 to 8, 2024," said Ratu Tisha.

For information, all of VAR equipment and training is in collaboration with Hawk-Eye Innovation. All VAR equipment is exactly the same as what was used at the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.