“VAR is watching you”: professional football players’ experiences and adaptations to VAR implementation

Abstract

Rationale: This paper explores Scottish premier league players’ perceptions of the video assistant referee (VAR), focusing on their responses to match situations and behavioural changes following VAR decisions. Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 male players (M = 26.6 years; SD = 4.2 years) to understand their experiences during professional matches. An inductive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to players’ attitudes, emotional reactions, and behavioural adaptations during matches and preparation. Findings: The study revealed mixed frustration with VAR's inconsistencies and unclear decisions, alongside emotional fluctuations, including increased anxiety linked to the awareness of VAR monitoring. Communication quality was highlighted as essential, with some players adopting a fatalistic view, seeing referees as disempowered by VAR. Players were frequently alerted by referees about VAR monitoring, increasing their awareness of constant scrutiny, in line with Foucault's disciplinary power and surveillance. Practical implications: The study suggests the need for psychological skill development for players to cope with VAR presence and delays and officiating organisations should consider developments in VAR processes to help alleviate anxiety and clarify decision-making. Research contribution: The study stresses the importance of education and communication in integrating VAR effectively, optimising its impact on decision-making and preserving the sport's integrity.