Women's World Cup referees train with VAR ahead of tournament approval
Monday 4 February 2019 19:13, UK
Women's World Cup referees are undergoing training with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) over the next two weeks, with the FIFA Council considering implementing the technology at this year’s tournament in France.
FIFA has faced pressure to improve refereeing standards and criticism for not announcing yet that video assistant referees will be used at the Women's World Cup, being held from June 7 to July 7.
VAR was in use for the men's World Cup in Russia last year and was widely viewed as a success.
Lioness head coach Phil Neville expressed his fears over refereeing standards in the women's game following some contentious decisions in England's 1-1 draw against Australia in October.
United States women's team coach Jill Ellis has said it would be "insulting" if female players didn't have an equal right to have decisions reviewed by video at their biggest tournament.
The training with VARs in seminars and matches in Qatar will ensure the 27 referees and 47 assistant referees will gain the required experienced for FIFA executives to approve the use of the technology for the World Cup at a meeting in March.
