Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback to the live Video Assistant Referee (VAR) announcements during the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Final Series 2023/24, Football Australia and the Australian Professional Leagues can confirm the implementation of this process for all A-League Men matches during the 2024/25 season.
This innovation enables fans - both in the stadium and watching the broadcast - to hear the centre referee declare their final decisions and rationale after conducting on-field and any lengthy factual reviews undertaken by VAR.
During last season's Isuzu UTE A-League Men Final Series, the A-Leagues became the first league within the Asian Football Confederation to implement this process.
This process has been further tested and refined over the opening rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 season, with Jon Moss, Football Australia's Head of Referees confirming live VAR will remain a fixture for the remainder of the season.
"The inclusion of live VAR announcements for the entire A-League Men season adds further transparency to the referees' decision-making process - giving fans, players, and coaches more insight on matchday," explained Moss.
"Over the opening rounds of the A-League Men season, we've already seen the successful implementation of the process, which has been very well received.
"I would like to acknowledge the hard work and collaboration of the APL, A-League clubs, host broadcasters and rights-holders, and the match officials for their commitment to this process and for delivering an in-game experience which enhances the product for fans and the game's stakeholders," concluded Moss.
The process activates primarily when an on-field reviews occurs, which is where the referee reviews incidents directly from the pitch-side monitor. Upon completion of a review, the referee will signal using the 'TV' signal. Subsequently, the referee's microphone will be activated, allowing both stadium attendees and broadcast viewers to hear the rationale for the decision before it is officially confirmed on the field. When a factual review takes significant time before a decision is made, the referee will also make an announcement to explain the rationale.
