VAR a bridge too far for PFJL

Despite the controversy surrounding a disallowed goal in Sunday’s first-leg semi-final clash between Portmore United and Mount Pleasant Academy in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Owen Hill, chief executive officer of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), remains adamant that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will not be introduced for the remainder of the competition.

Hill said that the PFJL currently could not afford the cost of implementing the technology, and, as a result, the competition will continue without it.

“Yes, it is nice to have these new technologies being implemented, but it is in the context of cost, and that is always a consideration. As it is now, we are unable to afford those costs for the implementation of VAR,” said Hill.

The controversy erupted in the 69th minute of the match after Portmore United striker Cory Burke appeared to have scored what would have been the opening goal of the contest.

Burke skipped past a challenge on the left flank before cutting inside and firing a shot that struck the underside of the crossbar and seemingly crossed the line. Referee Okeito Nicholson initially pointed to the centre circle, sparking wild celebrations from the Portmore camp.

However, after protests from Mount Pleasant Academy players and officials, Nicholson consulted with his assistants for approximately eight minutes before overturning the decision and ruling the goal out.

Hill defended the match officials, insisting that the referees are competent and that their decisions on the field must be respected.

“The referees are capable and competent, and so I won’t speak on those matters. They made a decision on the field, which is what they are expected to do, so that’s the decision, and the game ended 1-0 in favour of Mount Pleasant,” he said.

Mount Pleasant Academy eventually secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the encounter.

Although replays shown on the big screen at the National Stadium proved inconclusive, the incident sparked heated debate among spectators, with opinions divided on whether the ball had crossed the line.

Hill pointed out that introducing VAR would require much more than simply installing the technology, noting that there was also a shortage of certified officials locally.

“It requires way more than just implementation. You have to have a trained set of VAR officials, and as far as I know, we have only one trained official in our country that is certified in VAR, and that official may just be on the pitch,” Hill pointed out. 

“It is going to be difficult, but do we want it? Yes, we do. What version of it we want? That is a function of cost, and so we won’t have VAR this season. We may have as close as a replay system, which you saw in the stadium, but that by no means constitutes VAR.”

Hill also shared that PFJL remained committed to improving the league but said several priorities must be balanced against the league’s financial realities.

“We are always looking to improve the league. I won’t just limit it to VAR because there are several other league development initiatives that are going to be streamlined and phased in. Some will require more investment than others,” he said.

“But again, I understand the immediate feeling and sentiment that is shared externally. However, everything is in the context of cost and investment and where we are as a league. There are still other more important things that need to be implemented.”

The second leg of the semi-finals will be played today at the National Stadium.