Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used for the first time in South Asian football during the ongoing SAFF Championship, with the system set to operate in both semi-finals and the final.
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) confirmed the development in an official statement issued on Thursday evening. The move is intended to improve the accuracy of refereeing decisions in the tournament’s decisive matches and bring regional football closer to the standards of modern international competitions.
The initiative is being undertaken with support from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Spain-based, FIFA-recognised technology company Quality has been appointed to oversee the technical operation of the system.
Unlike conventional VAR arrangements, however, the video match officials will not be based at the venue in Dhaka. Instead, the tournament will use a remote VAR system, with live match footage from the National Stadium transmitted over the internet to Thailand. Trained video match officials stationed there will review relevant incidents and provide assistance to the on-field referee when required.
The process will follow the regulations and protocols established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the Laws of the Game. VAR is generally used to review major incidents involving goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity. It is designed to correct clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents, rather than reassess every decision made during a match.
The technology does not replace the referee or transfer the final authority away from the officials on the pitch. The referee remains responsible for the final decision, while the video team provides additional footage and analysis to help assess incidents that may have a significant impact on the match.
Preparations have been under way at Dhaka’s National Stadium to support the new system. A Referee Review Area (RRA) and a Technical Operations Team Area Monitor (TOTAM) have been installed as part of the arrangements. Specialists from Quality are also working in Dhaka to oversee the technical preparations and ensure that the required equipment and communication systems are ready for use.
The decision to operate the system from Thailand has raised questions about the reliability of internet connections and the possible impact of the distance between the venue and the video officials. SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel addressed these concerns, saying that a similar arrangement had previously been used during the ASEAN Cup, when VAR operations were conducted from Thailand.
Kattel said SAFF was following that established model and expressed confidence that the necessary preparations had been made to address internet connectivity and other technical requirements. The system will depend on the reliable transmission of live footage and effective communication between the remote video officials and the referee at the stadium.
Kattel described the introduction of VAR as a significant step forward for football in South Asia. He said the initiative represented a milestone for the region and would help raise the professional standard of the competition. He also expressed appreciation to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFF for their support in making the arrangements possible.
VAR has become an increasingly familiar feature of major football competitions around the world, particularly in matches where a single refereeing decision can have a decisive effect on the result. Its introduction to the SAFF Championship marks an important development for the regional game, although its success will depend on the quality of the technical arrangements, the speed of communication and the consistent application of IFAB protocols.
For South Asian football, the use of the technology in the semi-finals and final could also provide valuable experience in managing video reviews at regional level. If the system operates as planned, it may help strengthen confidence in refereeing decisions and support further modernisation of the game across the region.
