The Confederation of African Football (Caf) VAR workshop got off to a great start and has received positive response, according to IFAB technical director David Elleray.

A total of 44 officials, including 21 referees and 23 assistant referees from 32 different African countries were present for the VAR workshop, which kicked off in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Monday.

The main goal of this workshop is to upskill match officials serving in both the Fifa and Caf panels, with the qualifications to officiate in matches where the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology is used, or even to serve as VAR operators.

The VAR workshop is scheduled to run until Sunday, 30 March 2019.

‘On average, we have a total of 70 different countries across the globe who are talking about using the VAR system in their respective leagues,’ Elleray said.

‘I am happy with the type of response that I have received on the first day of this workshop. Referees participating in this course showed a solid understanding of the material that I taught, and I have no doubt in my mind that they will do well in their practical sessions as well.’

Elleray added that the VAR system is the future of football, and that it will play an important role in dealing with simulation and match-fixing in the football industry.

‘VAR is the future of football,’ he added. ‘It brings in a whole lot of fairness into the beautiful game which is very important for both clubs involved in any football match. It also helps match officials to make sound decisions in key situations which they might have missed in a game. The VAR system does not delay the flow of the beautiful game, however, it enhances the quality and fairness which is expected of it.

‘This technology will only be used for goals, penalties and the issuing of red cards to avoid unnecessary delays in a football match.’