By Ikenna Osuoha
Abuja – Linus Mba, Adviser to FIFA on Referee Matters, said on Monday that the world football governing body deserved commendation for the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR).
Mba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the VAR played key role in the high standard of match officiating at the ongoing World Cup in Russia.
He said that the era of conflicts and allegations of bias were over with the creation of the VAR.
“FIFA has sent a signal of hope and restoration of confidence to football enthusiasts with Video Assistant Referees.
” The time of fighting or assaulting referees is over because every conflict will be nipped in the bud,” Mba said.
According to him, in the past some referees used to be assaulted by unruly fans, but today it would be difficult to do it again.
Mba noted that the role of the VAR had averted such ugly occurrences after matches.
He said that the review of referees’ decisions had put to an end conflicts that could arise from alleged biased decisions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VAR serve as third eyes in match officiating.