Brasileirão clubs reject VAR over costs and lack of confidence in system
February 6 – Brazil’s top division has rejected implementing video technology both because of cost and uncertainty over the system’s consistency.
Performance
Man City, Liverpool and Man Utd set to pass their way into CL quarter finals, say stats
January 31 – Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and for Manchester City it is the route to winning titles. The club top a European table of clubs across 31 leagues ranked by the most accurate passes per domestic league game since the start of the season.
VAR debate ignited again as match changing decisions start to change the game itself
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – Far too long delays, questionable judgements, wrong decisions, contrasting opinions. The global debate over whether to introduce video technology – which FIFA president Gianni Infantino is determined to do before the World Cup – shows no sign of abating following yet more controversy at the weekend.
Mourinho extends his Man Utd ‘privileges’ until 2020
January 26 – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has signed a contract extension until 2020, with the option of a further year.
Too much too soon? Ceferin questions rush to VAR implementation
January 24 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the move towards introducing video technology is premature and could prove counter-productive if problems with the system are not ironed out.
Man City and Chelsea top Euro league when it comes to buying foreign
January 23 – Manchester City have come top of another table. Their latest chart-topping performance is a ranking teams according to the percentage of players signed from foreign clubs.
FIFA says VAR is 98.9% accurate as it surges through IFAB in time for Russia 2018
By Andrew Warshaw
January 23 – As anticipated the use of video technology at the World Cup in Russia has moved a step closer though a final decision will not be made until early March.
La Liga-Saudi deal puts cash before player development, says Spanish players union
January 23 – A ground-breaking agreement between Spanish football and authorities in Saudi Arabia has received a furious rebuke from Spain’s football union which says the arrival of nine Saudi players in La Liga will harm local development and is purely a money-earning exercise.
Saudi deal to place top players in La Liga in tune up for Russia 2018 World Cup
January 22 – In a ground-breaking agreement between Spanish football and authorities in Saudi Arabia, nine Saudi players will dispute the remainder of the season in La Liga, according to local reports.
IFAB head to Zurich for crucial talks on whether to implement VAR at Russia 2018
January 19 – Football’s lawmaking body, the International FA Board, has confirmed that video assistant refereeing will be the main focus of attention at Monday’s interim business meeting in Zurich.
VAR takes its first dive in England as Chelsea denied penalty in FA Cup replay
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – Just a few days before the video assistant referee system is expected to be given a provisional thumbs-up by football’s lawmakers, debate is raging yet again about when and how it should be used – this time in England where VARs have only just started to be trialled in certain cup games.
Ronaldinho calls an end to a glittering career that had lost its fizz
By Samindra Kunti
January 18 – Ronaldinho has at last called time on his professional playing career. The 37-year-old has not played at club level since leaving Brazilian side Fluminense in July 2015 and on Wednesday his agent and brother Roberto Assis announced Ronaldinho he has officially retired.
French ref Chapron given the boot after red mist descends in Nantes
January 16 – A French referee who aimed a kick at a Nantes player before sending him off in a high-profile top-flight fixture against Paris St-Germain has been suspended “until further notice” by the French Football Association.
Wales turn to Giggs to lead national team, again
January 15 – Former Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs has been appointed manager of his national team on a four-year contract in succession to Chris Coleman.
French league suspends goal-line technology after failures cross the reliability line
January 12 – The French football league (LFP) has suspended the use of goal-line technology due to a series of errors.