VAR Controversy: Eight minutes to Decide No goal in Sport vs. Fortaleza Match
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RIO DE JANEIRO — April 27, 2025 — A recent match between Sport and Fortaleza in Brazil has put the spotlight on controversial VAR decisions. During the game, officials took eight minutes to review a goal-line incident, sparking criticism over the system’s efficiency. The incident, where the ball appeared to cross the line, has reignited debate regarding VAR’s role. The controversy surrounding this specific VAR review is sure to continue.
VAR Controversy: Eight minutes to Decide No Goal in Sport vs. Fortaleza Match
A recent Serie A match between Sport and Fortaleza in Brazil has ignited debate over the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, specifically regarding the time taken to review a critical goal-line incident.
the Incident
During the match between Sport and Fortaleza, Argentine player Juan Martín Lucero passed the ball to Yago Pikachu, who shot towards the goal. The ball hit the crossbar and appeared to land in a borderline situation on the goal line. Referee Matheus Delgado Candancan, a FIFA judge, did not award a goal becuase the assistant referee did not signal it.
Goal-line technology was first adopted into professional soccer in 2012, predating the widespread use of VAR (3).
VAR Intervention and Delay
The incident occurred 29 minutes into the first half. VAR officials reviewed the play to determine if the ball had fully crossed the goal line. At the 35-minute mark, referee Delgado Candancan was asked to review the play on the monitor. After taking an additional three minutes, he confirmed the initial decision: no goal.
Fortaleza claimed both from 1 to 0 against Sport but between the main judge and those of VAR were very complicated to decide.
Protocol and Concerns
The protocol followed was deemed correct: in cases of uncertainty, and without automatic goal detection (DAG) technology, the referee must consult VAR. However, the extensive time taken for the review—a total of eight minutes—drew criticism.
Arbitral trainers direct referees to minimize time lost during VAR checks.
Despite benefiting from the no-goal decision, even Sport players reportedly complained about the time wasted.
The Bigger Picture: Goal-Line Technology and VAR Debate
The incident highlights the ongoing debate about VAR’s effectiveness and the potential benefits of goal-line technology, which provides near-instant solutions to goal-line controversies (1).
While VAR was proposed alongside goal-line technology in 2010, its implementation has been more complex and controversial (3).The absence of goal-line technology in some leagues, like La Liga, can lead to difficult on-field decisions for referees (2).
La Liga does not have goal-line technology, which can lead to controversial calls (2).
FAQ About VAR and Goal-Line Technology
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What is VAR?
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is a system used in soccer to review decisions made by the on-field referee, using video replays to correct clear and obvious errors.
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What is goal-line technology?
Goal-line technology uses electronic sensors to determine if the ball has completely crossed the goal line, providing an instant indication to the referee.
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why is VAR controversial?
VAR is controversial due to the time it takes to review decisions, the subjective nature of some calls, and the potential for human error in the review process.
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why don’t all leagues use goal-line technology?
The cost of implementing and maintaining goal-line technology can be a barrier for some leagues.
