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The SAFF Championship will use the Video Assistant Referee system for the first time during the semifinals in Dhaka, implementing a remote setup operated from Thailand.
VAR (Representative image)
The SAFF Championship will use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for the first time during Saturday’s semifinals between defending champions India and Bhutan, and hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dhaka. The technology will also be used for the November 17 final at the National Stadium.
The tournament will implement a remote version of VAR, with live match footage transmitted to a central operations hub in Thailand. Certified Video Match Officials (VMO) will review incidents and communicate their decisions directly to the on-field referees in Dhaka, following the IFAB VAR Protocol.
SAFF general secretary Purushottam Kattel told PTI that the move was aimed at raising the tournament’s profile and bringing it closer to international refereeing standards.
“This Remote VAR is not much different from the on-site VAR. All the ASEAN Championships matches used remote VAR with the centralized VAR operations hub located in Thailand. So, we are doing the same,” Kattel said.
SAFF has partnered with the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) for the implementation. The system is being operated by Spain-based, FIFA-certified technology provider Quality, which has its central operations in Thailand. The arrangement will cost USD 800-900 per match.
Kattel said technical experts from Quality would be present at the venue to oversee operations. A Referee Review Area and a Technical Operations Team Area Monitor have been installed at the stadium. He added that a strong internet connection would be essential to ensure uninterrupted communication between Thailand and Dhaka.
All referees and assistant referees appointed for the semifinals and final have been trained and certified in VAR procedures.
VAR has not been introduced in India’s domestic leagues, but the technology was previously used in the country during the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
India enter the semifinal after topping Group B with wins over Pakistan (3-2) and Maldives (1-0). Bhutan finished second in Group A, advancing on goal difference after ending level on one point with Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, who won both their group matches, face Pakistan in the other semifinal.
(With PTI Inputs)
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Ask News18Live match footage from Dhaka will be transmitted to a central operations hub in Thailand, where certified Video Match Officials will review incidents and communicate directly with on-field referees following the IFAB VAR Protocol.
Ask News18November 13, 2026, 7:19 PM IST
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