Referees in the Tanzania Premier League will soon be trained on using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, as announced by the Chairman of the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPBL), Steven Mguto.
He made the remarks during the opening of a meeting between the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and FIFA held yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
Mguto stated that the primary objective of the meeting was to evaluate the environment and readiness for training referees in VAR.
He emphasized that the process is in its final stages, with efforts underway to secure qualified instructors to lead the training sessions.
“The referees will soon be trained on how to use VAR, though it won’t be introduced in the league this season. However, we may see it in use during the Charity Shield,” Mguto revealed.
He explained that the training will take time to ensure referees are fully equipped to apply the technology effectively.
Mguto highlighted the potential impact of VAR on improving match fairness and reducing disputes, particularly concerning critical decisions like offside calls and penalties.
“The introduction of VAR will significantly reduce complaints, especially in crucial areas like offsides and penalties,” he added.
The move marks a significant step forward for Tanzanian football, aligning it with global standards and enhancing the integrity of the game.