VIDEO; Referee makes history by announcing VAR decision to crowd at Women’s World Cup

FIFA's latest VAR adaptation - having referees announce their decisions to the crowd with a microphone - was debuted at the opening game of the Women's World Cup

The introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) at the Women's World Cup sparked mixed reactions among football fans. FIFA made a change in how VAR is implemented for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, having previously tested it in a youth tournament and the Club World Cup earlier in the year.

Under this new system, referees announce their decisions to the crowd using the microphone they typically use to communicate with their fellow officials. The first instance of this was seen when Japan's referee Yoshimi Yamashita awarded a penalty in the opening game on Thursday (July 20).

 She declared, "After an on-field review, the decision is penalty," while indicating the penalty spot for co-hosts New Zealand against Norway. This moment left some supporters in awe of the transparency and immediacy of the decision.

As with any new introduction in football, opinions are divided among fans, some welcoming the clarity and openness of VAR being communicated publicly, while others may have reservations or concerns about its impact on the flow of the game.

 The VAR system has been a topic of intense debate and scrutiny in the footballing world, and its implementation in the Women's World Cup marks a significant step in its continued use and development.

One tweeted: "This woman's World Cup is like a soap drama, referees announcing penalties over a microphone to the whole stadium."

A second wrote: "I’m sooo here for the referees getting their VAR announcement moment." And a third commented: "Ayyyyy the announcement of the VAR is box office!!!! Big up the ref."

But others questioned the reasoning behind it, with one arguing: "Pointless, it's exactly the same as now. We still don't know why the penalty was given."

 Watch video below..

History at the Women's World Cup! 🤯

📢 The first time in football that the referee has announced their VAR decision live to the stadium.

New Zealand awarded a penalty...#BBCWorldCup #FIFAWWC #NZLNOR pic.twitter.com/EzAb1bfjEM

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 20, 2023

 "What's the point? You literally gain the same information from the hand signal as saying it," echoed a second, while a third added: "Good step in the right direction but we need to hear the conversation between room and ref."

FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina has overseen the new feature, which has been left open-ended for officials to make their own decisions on what to explain - so they may or may not say why the decision has been made.

Speaking pre-tournament, he said: "We didn't want to put each pressure on them [referees] so we told them to be natural, say what comes across as natural and don't be too focused on following a script.

"NFL have made announcements of refereeing decisions for 50 years and today very experienced referees make funny announcements with mistakes.

"Speaking on a microphone in front of 50, 60, 70,000 people through the PA is not easy. Refereeing is not easy and this will add some extra pressure. But we are confident that it will work well."