The Swiss Football League has voted to introduce Video Assistant Referee- better known as VAR- starting from next season.
All 20 clubs of The Swiss Football League (SFL) voted in favour of VAR, as its use is starting to be implemented in football across the world. It will be introduced to the Swiss Super League, and will be brought to Switzerland’s top division from the 2019/20 season.
As reported on the SFL website, they said: “On the occasion of the General Assembly, the clubs of the Swiss Football League have approved the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee in the Raiffeisen Super League starting next season.
“The work under the joint project of the Swiss Football League (SFL) and the Swiss Football Association (SFV) to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is in full swing in the background.”
VAR is being used across the world now, following its presence at this summer’s World Cup. It received a mixed reception from the tournament in Russia, with some praise and some heavy criticism.
Leagues all across Europe are now starting to introduce VAR, including the big five leagues. Just last week, the English Premier League announced that VAR will be used from next season.
Explaining the arrangements for paying for VAR, the SFL said: “The costs for the live operation from the summer of 2019 will be borne by the SFL.
“The expenses incurred in the test and implementation phases before the start of the coming season are managed via the budget of the Swiss Football Association (SFV).”
Dani Wermelinger, Head of the SFV’s Referee Department, added: “The technology also helps to further referees and assistant referees and increase their chances of international assignments. In the end, the VAR has proven to make football fairer; this is proven by studies by FIFA.”
Representatives of the Super League and Challenge League, Switzerland’s first and second divisions respectively, are pleased with the decision, and are looking forward to seeing the use of VAR in the country.
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