AS Jamaica celebrates National Technology Month, discussions about digital innovation have reached one of the nation’s top sports, football.

With growing frustrations about refereeing decisions as well as regional neighbours introducing systems of their own, local stakeholders are exploring the possibility of implementing video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

Since it’s official introduction in 2018, VAR has quickly become one of the most widely used and talked about technologies, both in football and the world of sportsin general. Some 60 countries around the world currently use the system, including for Europe’s top competitions such as the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

While it has been used in top leagues in the USA, Mexico and Costa Rica, no Caribbean country currently has a full VAR system in place. But Barbados recently implemented a simplified video review system in its domestic league, called the Trident Review System, which allows referees to review major decisions without the full-scale infrastructure of the VAR system.

Barbadian journalist Anmar Goodridge-Boyce told the Jamaica Observer that the system has improved the league.

“It has been working well so far; there hasn’t been any glitches or foul-ups. The referees have been enhanced by using the technology in terms of it being able to help them,” he said. “There have been no complaints from spectators at the grounds where the system is concerned. Everybody is welcoming it; they like the idea that if the referee makes a decision that is questionable, they can go over to the monitor and either change the decision or keep it.”

Jamaica has seen the use of VAR through international games such as the Concacaf Nations League and Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, but not for any of its locally run competitions.

However, the Jamaica Observer understands that a request has been made by Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) to have VAR in place for the play-offs of this season’s JPL.

PFJL CEO Owen Hill, while not confirming the news, said they are looking to introduce VAR in the near future.

“We definitely want to move in that direction because that’s where the world is and it would significantly assist in our decision-making in real time, so we’re definitely looking into it,” said Hill.

“It would definitely improve the look and feel of the league — moving into the direction of advanced technology is where the world is. The calls that may be questionable can be reviewed in real time, for the viewing audience, once they get that opportunity. It enhances the brand value of the television product and just the general play. When you know you’re in a position where a lot of people are looking on, the overall quality play improves so we’re looking to have VAR or some version of it implemented in the JPL. [It] would definitely be a dream of ours, and we’re putting it on the agenda,” Hill added.

However, VAR is an expensive venture as the implementation cost could be as high as $160 million, with $80 million in annual maintenance fees. Hill says PFJL will have to see how best they can tackle those issues.

“For us to overcome those hurdles we definitely have to pick it apart, so we need to have an understanding as to what the true cost of execution would be. Then [regarding] the technical side of it, it’s easier to navigate because we have strong technical competence through our production and broadcast partners SportsMax, so I suspect it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to implement.”

There is, however, a more cost-effective version to VAR which FIFA recently introduced as VAR Light.

This new system (Football Video Support), which allows coaches to challenge a referee’s decision, is designed to provide a more affordable solution for competitions that can’t afford VAR. It was used at the Under 20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia this summer and is expected to be introduced at other FIFA-run competitions in the near future.

Former FIFA referee and referee instructor, Jamaica’s Peter Prendergast believes this new system is the way to go.

“That system is a good system that they could consider. They could use the same amount of cameras with an operator but in terms of being cost -ffective, the VAR Light has less cameras but it’s the same VAR system which only has the operator. I think FIFA may end up going to that system because it’s inexpensive, so I would use that system if I were to recommend a system,” Prendergast told the Jamaica Observer.

Though not opposed to referees receiving assistance from technology, Prendergast says it has negatively impacted how referees officiate games.

“VAR really comes in when something absurd has occurred. The habit that referees are getting into, which is sad, is that they’re relying on VAR to bail them out because they know if they make a mistake, VAR is going to bring it up for them to look at it. We discourage it because we want to get the decision correct on the pitch,” he said.

Until a system like that is introduced locally Prendergast says referees need to be confident in making the best on-field decisions.

“My focus over the years really has been to get the decision correct on the pitch, so the work that needs to be done with match officials is to create the angles to see at the moment of possible contact or no contact — that is the key to decision-making. Apart from courage — because you have some people who don’t have the courage to make the big calls — you have to have the ability to see.”

Only a handful of Jamaican referees, who have officiated in Concacaf’s top competitions, have received training in the VAR system.

HILL … we definitely want to move in that direction because that’s where the world is and it would significantly assist in our decision-making in real time, so we’re definitely looking into it.

PRENDERGAST… the habit that referees are getting into, which is sad, is that they’re relying on VAR to bail them out because they know if they make a mistake, VAR is going to bring it up for them to look at it

Faulkland FC’s Jowell Powell (second left) reacts as he is shown the red card by Referee Christopher Mason (second right) while his captain, Michael McLoud (third left), pleads his case and another teammate, Val Armstrong (left), looks on during their Jamaica Premier League game against Mt Pleasant FA at Drax Hall in St Ann in October 2022. (Photo: Paul Reid)

Members of the referees’ crew that officiated in the opening game of the 2024 ISSA football season gather for the official kick-off at Montego Bay Sports Complex on September 7. From left are Jermaine Yee Singh, Andre Farquharson, Damion Coombs and Mojollee Gayle. (Photo: Paul Reid)