Did you know…?
In several Latin American countries, VAR is already used on a limited basis in lower divisions, particularly for promotion playoffs and finals. The real challenge is therefore not whether VAR exists, but how to make it sustainable across an entire league season.
When a controversial refereeing decision changes the outcome of a top-flight match, the debate begins immediately. Replays dominate television coverage, the media fuels the discussion, and fans call for VAR intervention.
But what about the lower divisions?
A missed promotion because of an overlooked penalty. A relegation decided by an incorrect offside call. A promotion final influenced by a refereeing error. In second- and third-tier football, these decisions can have significant sporting and financial consequences for clubs.
Yet across much of Latin America, VAR remains unavailable (or is only used occasionally) in second- and third-division competitions.
So why do these leagues rarely benefit from permanent video assistance?
The answer is more complex than it might seem.
It’s Not a Question of Sporting Importance
In fact, quite the opposite.
For many clubs, promotion to a higher division means increased revenue, greater media exposure, new sponsorship opportunities and, in some cases, the long-term financial stability of the organization.
Referees in these competitions face exactly the same types of game-changing situations as those officiating in the top division:
- Difficult offside decisions
- Penalty-area incidents
- Straight red cards
- Mistaken player identification
The issue is therefore not whether lower divisions deserve video support, but rather how to make that support accessible.
VAR Is Much More Than a Video System
One of the most common misconceptions is that VAR is simply a few cameras connected to a review screen.
In reality, the official IFAB and FIFA protocols establish a far more demanding framework.
According to IFAB, VAR may only be used if the competition organizer complies with the required implementation standards and receives written authorization from FIFA. In other words, a league cannot simply install an extra camera, place an official in front of a monitor and claim to be using VAR.
Cost Remains the Biggest Barrier
Financial constraints are consistently cited as the primary obstacle across Latin American competitions.
A traditional VAR operation typically requires:
- Multiple broadcast cameras
- Dedicated Video Assistant Referees (VAR)
- Assistant Video Assistant Referees (AVAR)
- Replay operators
- Specialized technical infrastructure
- Quality control and supervision procedures
In Colombia, El País reported an estimated operational cost of approximately 26.5 million Colombian pesos per match when the annual VAR investment is distributed across an entire season. This figure illustrates the financial burden of providing full VAR coverage on a regular basis.
Chile presents a similar example. Discussions surrounding the introduction of VAR Light in Primera B demonstrate that clubs clearly see the value of video support, yet the traditional VAR model remains difficult to finance throughout a full season.
For competitions with limited broadcasting revenues and commercial income, the financial equation quickly becomes challenging.
Not Every Stadium Is Ready
Infrastructure is another major challenge.
For VAR to operate effectively, several technical requirements must be met:
- Reliable connectivity
- Proper camera positioning
- Adequate lighting
- Dedicated technical facilities
- Consistent broadcast production
Even some top-flight leagues had to modernize their infrastructure before implementing VAR on a regular basis. In Peru, for example, the Football Federation first had to ensure that stadiums met the necessary technical standards.
In lower divisions, where stadium quality varies considerably, the challenge is even greater.
A league cannot guarantee consistent video assistance if some venues benefit from comprehensive broadcast production while others offer only limited camera angles or unreliable connectivity.
Without Quality Images, VAR Cannot Deliver Reliable Decisions
Broadcast quality is often underestimated.
Video review is only as reliable as the footage available. Many second- and third-division matches are produced with significantly fewer cameras than top-tier competitions.
Fewer cameras mean:
- Fewer viewing angles
- More blind spots
- Fewer useful replays
- Reduced ability to confirm or overturn key decisions
Ultimately, VAR is only as effective as the images it can analyze.
Technology Is Only Part of the Equation
VAR is not just about technology, it is also about people.
Video Assistant Referees, AVARs, replay operators and supervisors must all receive specialized training to ensure the system is applied consistently.
The IFAB documentation highlights that implementing VAR involves much more than installing equipment. It also requires qualified officials, standardized procedures, technological infrastructure, quality assurance and project management.
For national associations, deploying VAR on a large scale therefore represents a significant investment in training, human resources and operational organization.
Why Do Some Leagues Use VAR Only for Finals?
Faced with these constraints, several competitions have adopted an intermediate approach.
Rather than deploying VAR for every match, they reserve it for the most decisive fixtures, including promotion playoffs, finals and promotion matches.
Argentina provides a good example. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has appointed VAR and AVAR officials for certain Primera Nacional promotion matches, while regular VAR coverage remains far from systematic across the entire second division.
This approach allows competitions to concentrate their resources where refereeing decisions have the greatest sporting impact.
It also illustrates that the challenge is not whether VAR can be used but whether it can realistically be implemented across every match in an entire championship.
VAR Light: A More Accessible Path for Lower Divisions
In recent years, the discussion has shifted.
The question is no longer whether lower divisions need video support. Instead, it has become:
What type of video assistance best fits their operational reality?
Today, FIFA recognizes two different configurations: Full VAR vs VAR Light
Full VAR represents the most comprehensive model, requiring more cameras, more operators and more infrastructure.
VAR Light is designed to reduce some of these operational requirements while maintaining a structured framework that complies with FIFA standards.
For second- and third-division competitions, this approach offers several potential advantages:
- Reduced operational complexity
- Fewer cameras required
- Simplified workflows
- More sustainable operating costs
- Easier deployment in less-equipped stadiums
This does not mean VAR Light is a universal solution.
Each league must evaluate its own infrastructure, financial resources and operational needs. However, it represents an important step toward making video assistance available beyond the world’s wealthiest competitions.
You can also explore our VAR Video Replay Glossary to better understand the terminology, roles and procedures behind modern video officiating.
Towards More Accessible Refereeing Support
Examples from Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Peru all point to the same conclusion:
Lower divisions are not indifferent to VAR. On the contrary, demand clearly exists.
For video assistance to become truly accessible, however, it must satisfy three essential conditions:
- Compliance with regulatory requirements
- Technical reliability
- Financial and operational sustainability
This is why the future of video officiating in second- and third-division football will likely depend on more flexible solutions, simplified workflows and implementation models specifically designed for competitions with limited resources.
Ultimately, clubs competing outside the top flight face sporting stakes that are no less significant than those in elite football.
The real challenge is no longer whether they deserve video assistance. It is how to provide them with solutions that match their technical, operational and financial realities.
More information about this roll-out, please contact us.
To go Further
Guide: Dartfish VAR System for Football
