The General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has explained the delay in the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the Ghana Premier League.
VAR was initially expected to be implemented this season, but it now appears unlikely to be rolled out as planned.
In an interview with 3Sports, Addo reassured fans that the GFA remains committed to incorporating VAR to enhance officiating standards.
“We are on the journey to acquiring VAR, but some countries have more financial resources than others, allowing them to progress faster. VAR is not something you can simply purchase; there are several steps involved, including training for referees and VAR technicians. We have been working with FIFA on this process,” Addo explained.
He further highlighted that while FIFA initially engaged member associations on VAR adoption, the high costs became a major barrier. To tackle this, FIFA is now collaborating with another company to develop a more affordable alternative called “VAR Light.” However, this version of the technology will still take time before it is ready for use.
“Since the full VAR system is costly, we are opting for the second option, but our referees have already undergone some level of VAR training,” Addo added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Premier League is set to resume on March 7, following a three-week suspension after the tragic stabbing of a fan in Nsoatre.
In response to recent security concerns, the GFA has introduced stricter safety measures to address hooliganism and ensure a safer environment for both players and spectators.