The use of video assistant refereeing (VAR) is becoming too 'microscopic', warns UEFA's director for refereeing, Roberto Rosetti. He fears the technology has strayed from its intended purpose, with overreach and overuse becoming a concern. Rosetti highlights the need to revisit the definition of 'clear and obvious mistakes' and to avoid the 'moviola' effect, where slow-motion replays uncover minor issues that may not be significant in real-time. Despite the lowest intervention rate in Europe, the Premier League is accused of overly pedantic use, while the Champions League has a higher rate. Rosetti suggests that media narratives have contributed to the overuse of VAR, and he calls for caution to ensure the technology remains focused on its core purpose.
