The call to introduce Video Assist Referee (VAR) in the Indian Super League has been going on for a while now. In the last game of the league phase of the 2022-23 season between Kerala Blasters vs Hyderabad FC, a goal was disallowed by match official R Venkatesh after watching the replay on the stadium’s big screen.
You could say it was an unofficial look at how VAR could help the ISL, but it was a controversial decision nonetheless. Since the scope of a review system does not currently exist, this move by the official was against the rules.
In the 35th minute, Joel Chianese put the ball into the net connecting a pass from Javier Siverio. The Hyderabad FC players started celebrating, but it was short-lived.
Both the Blasters fans and the coaching staff were frantically pointing at the big screen, as the linesman and referee looked at it and made the decision. After watching the replay and hearing the linesman’s opinion, he pointed out that the goal does not stand for offside.
It was Hyderabad who took all three points home thanks to Borja Herrera’s first half goal, but the incident has created quite a stir among the Indian football fraternity.
