‘It will be difficult to appoint referees from National Leagues without VAR’ – CAF

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed plans not to appoint referees from countries without without Video Assistant Referee (CAR) in upcoming tournaments, including Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

CAF Director of Technical Development Raul Chipenda made the revelation when speaking with journalists in Abidjan on Monday, while explaining the major reason behind non-appointment of referees from some countries.

The CAF official insists it would be difficult to appoint referees from national leagues without VAR.

“It will be difficult to appoint referees from leagues without Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for our competitions,” Chipenda stated.

“That’s why CAF will have issues calling up referees without VAR experience. VAR involves regular practice and application to the law of the game.

“We want to give referees the best conditions to work. They must be at the highest level because CAF is not interested in good referees in Africa but the best that go as far as the finals of the FIFA World Cup and exchange with other Confederations.

“Refereeing at AFCON 2023 has been at the highest level. I am very happy and proud of the level of refereeing at this competition.”

Hope is rising for Nigeria as president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau had recently assured that he is working towards having VAR introduction in Nigerian leagues before the end of his tenure.

This recent development by the CAF further makes it now imperative for the leagues to start adopting VAR.