Former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis has voiced a clear stance on the use of video assistant referees in football. He argues that VAR should not be a general feature of the game and should only be consulted when judging a penalty. He contends that VAR can create more confusion than clarity and that on field officials sometimes hesitate to make independent calls after watching replays.
Kanchelskis has long pressed for a restrained role for VAR. In his view, the system should assist referees in specific moments rather than dominate the match flow. He notes that the presence of video review can alter the rhythm of a game and that human decision making on the pitch remains essential for the sport’s spirit and immediacy.
The adoption of VAR began to take shape at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the technology was first put to real-time use at a global tournament. Since then, VAR has become a common feature in many national leagues and international competitions, with its reach expanding into major tournaments and domestic cups around the world. While the system has helped correct several clear errors, it has also sparked ongoing debate about its accuracy, consistency, and impact on momentum during matches. In some recent Russian fixtures, officials have faced difficult calls after reviewing video footage, underscoring the persistent challenges of integrating technology into live sport.
Zarema Salikhova, once associated with Spartak through the ownership of Leonid Fedun, has commented publicly on administrative decisions within Russian football. She referenced the decision of the Expert Referee Commission of the Russian Football Union to dismiss referee Yevgeny Kukulyak from the Russian Premier League. The remarks highlighted the broader conversation about accountability for officiating and the ongoing effort to maintain high standards across the league.
Overall, VAR remains a polarizing topic in football. Proponents cite higher accuracy in key moments and the alignment of decisions with the official rules, while critics point to disruptions in game tempo and the perception of inconsistent application. The sport continues to search for a balance that preserves the human element of officiating while leveraging technology to minimize egregious errors. As leagues refine guidelines and training, the global conversation about when and how to use VAR is likely to evolve further, influencing how players, coaches, and fans experience the game in Canada, the United States, and beyond.