VAR Procurement Ad Hoc Team In Liga 1 Formed This Week

PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan (right) talks with PT Liga Indonesia Baru President Director Akhmad Hadian Lukita (left) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) President Director Akhmad Hadian Lukita said an ad hoc team (team with a special purpose) procuring video assistant referee technology (VAR/video assistant referee) in Liga 1 will be formed in the first week of November 2021.

"The letter will be issued this week," said Akhmad Hadian to Antara in Jakarta, Monday.

The man from West Java said that the team would consist of representatives from PSSI and LIB. However, it has not been decided who will lead this group.

The task of the ad hoc team is to take care of everything related to the use of VAR, from making plans, communicating with FIFA to drawing up a budget.

Regarding costs, Akhmad Hadian estimates that the funds needed to run VAR are around US$6 million or around Rp85 billion.

"This value is an estimate from several references I received from various parties who have implemented VAR such as Thailand and the Russia 2018 World Cup committee. So we have to calculate what the need for Liga 1 looks like," he said.

In addition to non-technical matters, Akhmad Hadian also ensured that PSSI-LIB's attention was also directed to the operation of VAR technology. Therefore, there will be assistance from consultants and training for VAR officers.

According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), VAR will be operated by a VAR assistant (AVAR) and a "replay" operator (RO). The number of AVAR and RO can be more than one person, depending on how many camera angles are used and other things.

Meanwhile, regarding the use of VAR, Akhmad Hadian ensured that it would occur in Liga 1 for the 2022-2023 season.

However, the trial is expected to take place at the end of the 2021-2022 Liga 1 match.

"I personally want a trial at the end of Liga 1 2021-2022. If it is implemented, it is not possible this season," said Akhmad Hadian.