– Will make the Elite Series a more attractive product
A separate VAR room in Oslo, over 50 judges involved and tens of millions in costs. We know this so far about video judging in the Elite Series.
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– There is some technical equipment to be delivered and some infrastructure to be set up. But it looks positive, and everything is in place for us to be ready when the season starts next year.
This is what Nils Fisketjønn, director of the Competition Department of the Norwegian Football Association (NFF), says.
Video judging, or Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be introduced in the Elite Series from 2023. There are currently some details that remain, but this is what VG knows so far about the video judging that will be introduced next season.
VAR room in Oslo
– We are in favor of a centralized solution. A center is now being built in Oslo. The referees will sit there, with a direct line to the stadium, Fisketjønn continues.
Thus, a VAR room will be built to be used during the elite league matches next year. It will be built on Holbergs plass in Oslo.
– It is cost-saving. The alternative solution is one that runs around from stadium to stadium. So you avoid the transport of both technical equipment and personnel, the director explains why they go for a centralized solution.
Today I use both the Premier League and the Bundesliga such a centralized solution that Fisketjønn talks about.
However, it is not intended to introduce goal line technology, as many of the major leagues have. The reason is simple; Target line technology will be redundant with VAR, according to Fisketjønn.
– It is a rather expensive case. We are talking about tens of millions per year. We checked internationally, and received feedback that such a large investment in a league as small as ours gives around one case per year, given that you have VAR. VAR captures most things, he explains.
Coming to the Toppserien
As of now, it is only planned for the introduction of VAR in the Elite Series, but will also see the introduction in the Top Series. This is confirmed by Knut Kristvang, project manager for VAR in Norway.
– The decision on the introduction of VAR also applies to the Toppserien, but it has not been decided when the start of this will be. The ambition is to see if it is possible in the autumn of 2023 in the playoffs.
VG has previously mentioned that the annual cost framework for VAR will be between NOK 12 and 18 million. The estimate still stands, but there are still some that remain.
– Everything is not fully negotiated, such as the price of technical equipment or the size of referee fees, says Fisketjønn.
150 clips
VG has also been in contact with Terje Hauge, former top judge, now head judge in NFF. He tells about around 50 Norwegian judges who are in full swing with training in the use of video judging.
Hauge says the training takes place in three phases. The first phase is a pure theoretical part, the second is a session where 150 clips and a single match will be reviewed with an arguing eye.
– We have come halfway in the 150 cliffs, and will take the last half when the VAR room in Oslo is completed this autumn, Hauge explains.
The third phase is a purely practical part where the judges will go out and train practically.
– Judges will go out on the field and practice communicating with the VAR room, and making decisions. We will train for this during the Norway Cup, among other things, Hauge continues.
This season has it stormed around the Norwegian judges after a number of controversial decisions in the domestic series. Hauge is nevertheless clear that VAR should be as invisible as possible, and only contribute in the most serious situations.
– We focus on the fact that the matches will be judged optimally, and that VAR does not involve. VAR shall not replace the judges. It should only intervene in situations that are black and white, the chief judge explains.
More attractive judges internationally?
VG mentioned in last week that Norway has not had international top judges since 2017.
Hauge believes the introduction of VAR will make Norwegian judges more attractive and ready for larger international assignments.
– Just the fact that we have started to train on it helps us a lot in relation to the number of matches we get, and our referees become more attractive and UEFA can start planning to have our referees in the future in international football.
– How early can these judges be used for VAR?
– Our referees will hopefully have a VAR license before 2023 and will thus have matches with VAR internationally. We will probably see this most in the autumn of 2023.
Today, Espen Eskås, as the only Norwegian judge, is already a certified VAR judge. The introduction of VAR has been much debated. Kristvang still believes it will enrich Norwegian football, as long as it is introduced correctly.
– We know that some are critical of the use of VAR, but together we will try to find the best possible model for how it should be used and implemented in Norwegian football.