As Asian club football gears up for a transformative era, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reinforced its commitment to maintaining top-notch officiating standards. The implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will extend across its revamped three-tier club structure and the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League for the 2024/25 season.
VAR in AFC Champions League Elite
The AFC Champions League Elite, which features the continent’s top 24 teams, will see the use of VAR from the League Stage starting in September. This move aligns with the prestigious status of the tournament, ensuring fair play and accurate officiating from the outset.
Inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League
The inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, set to kick off in October, will introduce VAR technology in the Semi-finals and Final. This initiative underscores the AFC’s dedication to supporting and advancing women’s football across Asia. The use of VAR in these critical stages highlights the importance of accurate refereeing in determining the tournament’s champions.
VAR in AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League
For the AFC Champions League Two, which will involve 32 teams, VAR support will be available from the Knockout Stage onwards. The competition is scheduled to begin in September, and the introduction of VAR during the decisive knockout rounds will ensure that key match decisions are accurate and fair.
The AFC Challenge League, featuring 20 teams, will implement VAR technology during the all-important Final in May 2025. This will ensure that the championship decider is officiated with the highest standards of accuracy.
Training and Development
To keep its match officials updated with the latest technological advancements, the AFC conducted the AFC Video Assistant Referees (VAR) Course in 2023. Additionally, an AFC VAR Information Officer (VIO) Workshop is planned for the coming months. This workshop aims to ensure that VIOs from various AFC Member Associations are well-versed in the latest developments in VAR technology.
Leading the Way in Refereeing Technology
Earlier this year, the AFC successfully implemented the VAR system across all matches at the AFC Asian Cup. It also became the first Confederation to introduce the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system at the Continental Men’s national team level. These initiatives emphasize the AFC’s ambition to remain a model Confederation and ensure the success of its match officials on the global stage.
By embracing these technological advancements, the AFC aims to enhance the integrity and quality of its competitions, providing a fair and exciting experience for players and fans alike.
Leave a Reply