Amantes de la pecosa. Mundial de futbol Rusia 2018

Abstract

This conversation is an interview with Professor José Borda, who analyzes the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Borda explains that the VAR is a technological tool designed to help referees avoid "blatant" or obvious errors, which have put individual referees' performance on the back burner. He clarifies that the system does not re-referee matches, but rather assists in four specific situations: goal validation, penalty decisions, straight red cards, and mistaken player identity. The communication procedure between the team in the booth and the on-field referee is detailed, emphasizing that neither players nor coaches are authorized to request a review; in fact, doing so is a bookable offense. Finally, he discusses the application of the system, mentioning that errors persist due to human interpretation and not due to technological failures. The interview concludes with a reflection on the possible and necessary, though distant, implementation of VAR in Colombian soccer, seen as an investment in improving fairness in the sport.