North West Regional League: VAR use causing controversy
The use of the Video Assistant Refereeing system, VAR, in the North West Regional League has sparked a lot of talks both offline and online.
On Sunday July 2, 2023, officials and organizers of the North West Regional League used the VAR during the semifinal matches at the Bamenda university field in Bambili. During the second match between Bafmeng United and Tubah United, the central referee consulted the VAR twice before taking his decisions.
While many have applauded the initiative as a good start, others have questioned this new decision taken by the North West chapter of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, and members of the organizing committee of the league.
The Video Assistant Referee protocol (principle 1) states that “the use of video assistant referees is only permitted where the match/competition organiser has fulfilled all the Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) requirements as set out in FIFA’s IAAP documents, and has received written permission from FIFA”.
However, according to FECAFOOT North West president, Mbigha Felix, VAR was brought in to make the work of the referees more transparent.
“We brought this system of the VAR because we really wanted the referees to focus so that everybody should see. We paid for it very dearly and I think it has come to satisfy the population,” Mbigha Felix explained.
Mbigha went ahead to add that FECAFOOT President, Samuel Eto’o was informed of the development and is impressed with the results.
“The national President was so impressed about what we are doing in the region and he has promised to see that we improve on it.”
Many have called on the officials to step up during the next matches. Others have said the initiative must continue until the end of the tournament so that other teams do not to feel discriminated against.
