Roberto Rosetti has cautioned that video assistant referees (VAR) risk becoming “too forensic,” urging greater consistency and fewer microscopic interventions in European football.
As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Rosetti spoke at the UEFA Congress on Thursday, noting that VAR functions well for factual decisions such as offsides.
However, he said subjective calls, particularly on handball, are prompting excessive reviews.
“At the end of the season, we need to speak about this. Because we cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR interventions. We love football like it is,” Rosetti said.
The Premier League currently records the lowest VAR intervention rate among Europe’s top leagues this season at 0.27 per game, though controversy over decisions remains. Bundesliga and La Liga follow at 0.38, Serie A at 0.44, and Ligue 1 at 0.47. In the UEFA Champions League, the rate is similarly high at 0.45 per game.
Rosetti suggested that pressure from fans and media—often asking “Where is VAR?”—has contributed to more interventions on subjective decisions.
“We cannot forget why it is in place. It’s about justice. It’s good for fans, for everyone, because you want the right decisions on the pitch, especially when they’re clear,” he said.
A key UEFA concern is the inconsistent interpretation of handball laws across domestic leagues. Rosetti stressed that European football must speak “only one technical language” to avoid confusion, especially for clubs in continental competitions.
“We cannot speak different technical languages across Europe. Only one uniformity and consistent interpretation. We are working for this,” he added.
Rosetti also hinted at resistance to expanding VAR’s remit. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) may consider extending reviews to corners and second yellow cards at its 28 February meeting.
“What is crucial is one concept — we cannot delay the restart of play. Football is intensity, is emotions. It is not delaying the restart of play,” he said.
At a recent meeting of Europe’s top referees, officials were advised to monitor players going to ground too easily and to watch blocking actions on goalkeepers during corners.
Rosetti expressed reservations about a proposed offside rule change backed by former Arsène Wenger, which would require clear daylight between attacker and defender. He warned it could create a “big space” for attackers and alter tactics significantly.
If approved by IFAB, the proposal is expected to be trialled in the Canadian Premier League from April.
With debates over technology’s role intensifying, UEFA plans to review VAR usage at the end of the season to balance accuracy with the flow of the game.
