UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has voiced criticism regarding inconsistent refereeing decisions since the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
«I don’t understand it myself anymore,» the Slovenian stated on Thursday at ‘The Forum’ conference in Madrid, organized by Apollo Sports Capital, the new majority shareholder of Atlético Madrid.
«Sometimes fans cannot comprehend the different interpretations of the rules from one game to another – and I understand them. I don’t understand it myself anymore,» Čeferin said. He highlighted the handball rule as particularly confusing: «Nobody understands it. Is it a penalty or not, is it intentional or not? How is one supposed to know – one isn’t a psychiatrist!»
Čeferin Criticizes Procedures in Spain and England
Čeferin also emphasized that the final decision-making authority remains with the on-field referee. «VAR should only intervene in clear and obvious errors,» the 58-year-old stated. He added that reviews must be kept brief: «Not like, in some cases in La Liga or the Premier League, where games are interrupted for ten to 15 minutes.»
The UEFA chief sees consistent application of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules as the best way to avoid errors.