Fifa referee development officer in Africa, Jerome Damon, is confident that the VAR system will be implemented to eradicate moral flaws in football.

A total of 21 referees and 23 assistant referees from 32 different African countries showed up for this workshop, which kicked off in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Monday.

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

Speaking at the Caf VAR workshop, Damon was confident that the VAR technology would play a crucial role to help officials make accurate decisions during football matches.

However, he added that there is a need for officials to operate the VAR system as there is a handful of official who are qualified to use the system.

‘We only have a few referees who are qualified to operate the VAR system, or officiate in matches where this technology is used,’ Damon told Safa.net.

‘The intention is have as many referees as possible, because we now only have a few. Caf has already started using the VAR system in their competitions, such as in the previous Caf Champions League two-legged final and the Caf Super Cup as well.’

He continued: ‘There is a big call for match officials to always get their decisions right at all times. This VAR technology will play a hand in making sure that such decisions are made in matches. Fifa has made it very clear that the VAR technology is here to stay. And that is because it is the future of refereeing in the sport.’

The now retired double winner of the PSL Referee of the Season (2004-05 and 2008-09) also added that VAR technology has already made a major impact by improving the quality of decisions making by referees in football.

‘Stats have proven that the VAR technology has played a part in the massive drop of disciplinary sanctions regarding players fighting with referees over a decision they were not happy about,’ he concluded.

The Caf VAR workshop will run until 30 March 2019.