VAR Failure Disrupts Chilean Premier League Match in Iquique
Iquique,Chile - A technical malfunction caused a significant disruption during the Chilean Premier League match between Deportes Iquique and La Serena on October 31,2025,as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system unexpectedly ceased functioning for ten minutes. The incident occurred shortly after a stoppage-time goal by Edson Puch, raising questions about the integrity of officiating during a critical period of the game.
Referee Cristian Galaz attempted to initiate a VAR review in the 80th minute but received no response from the system. After a prolonged delay, he opted to continue the match. VAR functionality was restored at the 89th minute,but a crucial ten-minute stretch unfolded without the benefit of video review. This raises concerns about potential missed calls and their impact on the final outcome, notably in a league increasingly reliant on VAR for accurate decision-making.
The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of relying on technology in live sporting events and prompts a review of backup protocols for VAR systems within the Chilean Premier League.While the technology was ultimately restored, the temporary outage underscores the need for robust contingency plans to ensure fair play and maintain confidence in officiating.