NPFL to introduce VAR – NRA president
Sanni Zubair, president of the Nigeria Referees Association, has suggested that preparations are being made to introduce video assistance referees to the Nigeria Professional Football League beginning with the upcoming 2023–24 season, according to The PUNCH.
The first game of the new season, between 3SC and Plateau United in Ibadan, is on Saturday.
Even if the majority of the league’s matches will be webcast using recently acquired AI cameras, Zubair remarked that the implementation of VAR will further improve the effectiveness of the officials.
Talk has been had about it. This time, we believed we would have succeeded, but it may have happened before the league began or during play. We are aware of their efforts because our games will be streamed live, and I am aware that they are working toward that, Zubair said our correspondent.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s president, Ibrahim Gusau, announced that the organization would install VARs in a number of regional stadiums across the nation during the NRA’s elective congress in April, which resulted in Zubairu becoming the organization’s president. The NRA is already looking forward to the proposal’s implementation.
“Football is currently played using technology, and we must keep up with this trend. According to Zubairu, head of the NRA, “if the NFF supplies VARs in some centers, it will help the performance of our referees as well.
“On our own, in accordance with our plans, we will ensure that our referees receive adequate training to comply with the best international practices.”
A retired FIFA-badged referee named Zubair expressed optimism for improved officiating in the upcoming campaign.
We are prepared for the league to start this weekend. Referees and assistant referees already attended our 10-day seminar to develop their technical and physical skills. In accordance with international standards, we also updated them on the rules of the game.
“We don’t expect less from our referees than what they demonstrated in terms of performance and confidence last season,” Zubair said.
