Bahrain FA Holds VAR Workshop for Top Division Referees

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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The Bahrain Football Association’s Referees Committee recently hosted a specialized Video Assistant Referee (VAR) workshop at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, designed for referees officiating in the 2024-2025 Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League. The initiative aimed to enhance their knowledge and practical application of VAR technology in live match situations.

Speaking exclusively to TDT, Ali Al Samahiji, Chairman of the Referees Committee, shed light on the challenges faced during the implementation of VAR. “One of the biggest challenges was applying the VAR protocol and learning how to handle it, particularly memorizing each step accurately,” Al Samahiji explained. “However, with time, and thanks to the hard work of our referees and instructors, these difficulties were overcome.”

Continuous Learning for Referees

Al Samahiji emphasized that VAR, while still relatively new to football, is continuously evolving as countries using the technology receive updated instructions from FIFA. “We have had to adapt quickly,” he noted, “but our perseverance and the support from our committee have enabled us to overcome early hurdles.”

The workshop featured leading refereeing experts, including committee members Salah Al Abbasi and Yasser Talaf, alongside technical advisor Nawaf Shukrallah. VAR Project Manager Abdulrahman Abdulqader also supervised the sessions. Referees reviewed international cases from leagues around the world to understand better the decision-making process using VAR and were reminded of specific scenarios when the technology should be utilized.

Fair Play on the Pitch

Speaking on the impact of VAR, Al Samahiji told TDT, “There is no doubt that VAR was introduced to reduce errors in matches, giving referees a second chance to review crucial incidents. This ensures fairness on the pitch.” He also highlighted the importance of communication, stating that the committee is always open to discussing contentious decisions with clubs and athletes. “We are fully prepared to explain and clarify any complex situations.”

The workshop comes after the first three rounds of the Nasser Bin Hamad Premier League, where VAR was used for the first time in Bahrain's domestic competitions. Despite being in its early stages, the system has received positive feedback from referees, players, and fans alike. However, as Al Samahiji pointed out, "It will take time for everyone to fully understand when and how VAR can be used. With more experience, this understanding will improve."

Learning from Global Examples

Reflecting on lessons learned from leagues already using VAR, Al Samahiji acknowledged that consulting with other countries accelerated Bahrain’s understanding of the technology. “Discussions with countries already using the technology have greatly accelerated our learning curve and allowed us to foresee potential challenges,” he said.

With continued workshops and real-time application in domestic competitions, Bahrain hopes to ensure that VAR becomes an integral part of its footballing future, enhancing decision-making and reducing errors, while maintaining the spirit of the game.