Today confirmed plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at the conclusion of the current season, following comments from UEFA's Managing Director of Refereeing, Roberto Rosetti.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the balance between technological accuracy and the preservation of football's natural flow and spirit.
Speaking at the UEFA Congress, Rosetti expressed concerns that VAR interventions have increasingly become "too microscopic," particularly in subjective decisions, diverging from the system's original purpose of correcting only clear and obvious errors.
"We forgot a little bit, everywhere, the reason why VAR was introduced," Rosetti stated. "Eight years ago, we discussed VAR standing for clear mistakes and clear evidence in objective decisions.
In subjective situations, it is more difficult. I believe that we need to speak about this again in our meetings at the end of the season. We cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR intervention. We love football like it is."
Rosetti highlighted the risks associated with excessive use of super slow-motion replays, which can identify minor details not visible to the naked eye or in real-time, potentially leading to over-analysis and unnecessary delays in play.
He emphasized the need for greater uniformity and consistent interpretation across competitions, while cautioning against expansions of VAR's remit that could further interrupt the game's rhythm.
"Before next season, we need to speak again," he added. "We are working for one uniformity and consistent interpretation. What is crucial is that we cannot delay the restart of play. If something is in place to delay the restart of play, I think it's not good for football."
The planned end-of-season review will involve UEFA's refereeing experts, stakeholders, and relevant bodies to assess VAR's application in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
The objective is to reinforce the core principles of the technology supporting referees without overshadowing the human element of the game while addressing recent high-profile controversies and ensuring football remains dynamic and enjoyable for players, officials, and fans alike.
UEFA remains committed to improving officiating standards and will provide further updates following the review process.