Video Assistant Referee System Faces An Amendment In U.K.

The video assistant referee system "faces an amendment after it made its debut in English competition this week," according to the BBC. VAR was used in the FA Cup tie between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace and again in the English Football League Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal. Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. Dir Mike Riley said that there could be a change to the official's "finger to ear" signal for VAR. He added that spectators inside the stadium "could be finding it difficult to interpret whether a referee has asked for the use of VAR during a game." Riley: "It is really important for spectators in the stadium to understand when its being used or not" (BBC, 1/11).

CAF TAKEOVER: The BBC also reported the Confederation of African Football will take over payment of all referees officiating games on behalf of African football's ruling body "in a bid to stamp out corruption." Previously, CAF rules stated that host associations should pay such costs. CAF said in a statement, "The decision reduces the financial burden on national associations" (BBC, 1/11).