Between Scepticism and the Long-Awaited Quest for “Football Justice”

Abstract

This chapter analyses the development of the currently ongoing process of implementation of VAR (Video Assistant Referee technology) in professional football. From a historical and sociological perspective, what is studied here is the process that has led football to move from the absolute opposition to the use of any type of technology that could help referees’ decision-making, up until the beginning of VAR implementation process after Gianni Infantino assumed the Presidency of FIFA in 2016. This work tries to show the impact that the introduction of VAR to football has meant for some of its main actors, in particular, players, managers, and referees, both currently serving and retired. Through the analysis of the international press, it has been possible to discover the doubts and misgivings that some sectors have shown towards this technology, as well as the unconditional support it has also received.

The results obtained show that since 2016 the press has offered a vision that has shifted steadily from one of criticism and scepticism to a point where there are convinced advocates who believe that thanks to the application of VAR, football will finally be more transparent and honest. Similarly, there are numerous cases of media that, despite defending the implementation of VAR, consider that it is still necessary to make important changes in the protocol that is currently used for its application in football.