Sanni Zubair, president of the Nigeria Referees Association, has suggested that preparations are being made to introduce video assistant referees (VAR) to the Nigeria Professional Football League beginning with the upcoming 2023–24 season.
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 streamed using recently acquired AI cameras.
Zubair also remarked that the implementation of VAR will further improve the effectiveness of the officials.
“There are talks around it. We thought we would have got it this time around but maybe before the start of the league or when the league is on. I know they are working towards it and we are aware of that and since we are going to be having our matches streamed live,” Zubair said.
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 now being played with technology and we must move with the pace of the world as well. If the NFF provides VARs in some centres, it will help the performance of our referees as well,” NRA president, Zubair voiced again.
“On our own, according to our plans, we will ensure the adequate training of our referees to meet up with the best global practices.”