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UEFA Referees Chief: 'We Love Football Like It Is'
13 Feb
Summary
- VAR is becoming too forensic, according to UEFA referees' chief.
- A unified technical language on handball interpretations is needed.
- UEFA prioritizes football's intensity and emotions over delays.

UEFA referees' chief Roberto Rosetti has expressed concerns that Video Assistant Review (VAR) is becoming excessively forensic, leading to too many interventions in subjective football decisions.
Speaking at the UEFA Congress, Rosetti highlighted the urgent need for a unified technical language regarding handball interpretations across all European leagues. He acknowledged VAR's effectiveness for factual calls such as offside but criticized its overuse in subjective situations that disrupt the game's intensity and emotions.
The Premier League currently has the lowest VAR intervention rate among top European leagues, yet controversy persists. Rosetti stated that a consistent interpretation is crucial, especially for teams competing in European competitions. He also indicated reservations about expanding VAR's remit and emphasized that delaying the restart of play is detrimental to football.
Discussions also addressed players going to ground easily from minimal contact and blocking goalkeepers on corners. Rosetti also voiced potential tactical concerns regarding Arsene Wenger's proposed offside rule change, which aims for a clearer 'daylight' between attacker and defender.




