FIFA has announced a significant change to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup semi-final clash between England and Argentina.
The blockbuster encounter is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Unlike previous matches, where VAR officials operated remotely from the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, FIFA has decided to deploy an on-site VAR team for the semi-final. The officials at the venue will serve as a backup in case of any technical or communication issues during the match.
Speaking on the decision, Organising Committee member Dan Hunt explained that the move was necessary given the intensity of the competition.
“There is a significant amount of drama during these matches. With only four officials responsible for monitoring play on a field much larger than an American football field, the task becomes extremely demanding,” Hunt said.
He added, “I am pleased that there will be on-site officials, although I am still uncertain about how the communication will be managed.”
FIFA has come under scrutiny over the consistency of VAR decisions throughout the tournament. Critics have argued that defending champions Argentina have benefited from several favorable calls, while England has often found itself on the wrong end of controversial decisions.