In a recent Singapore Cup tie, a technical malfunction prevented the referee from conducting an on-field VAR (video assistant referee) review, leading to confusion and frustration among players and coaches.
The Incident
During the group game between Tanjong Pagar United and Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium, an incident in the 84th minute saw a collision between Hougang forward Hazzuwan Halim and Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Kenji Rusydi. Referee Clarence Leow, after initially awarding a corner to Hougang, was advised by VAR to review the incident. However, due to a signal loss for the video feed, Leow was unable to view the footage, confirmed by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Immediate Reactions
The inability to access the VAR footage led to evident confusion among the Cheetahs, who believed they deserved a penalty. Despite the technical hiccup, Leow maintained his initial decision. The match concluded with Tanjong Pagar securing a 2-1 victory, following an own goal by Kazuma Takayama in the stoppage time.
Hougang’s coach, Marko Kraljevic, expressed his uncertainty about the situation, stating he wasn’t provided with a clear explanation. An anonymous Hougang player voiced his frustration, emphasizing the direct impact of the technical error on the match’s outcome.
FAS’s Response
Abhishek Ravikrishnan, FAS Lead (Content and Production), explained that the monitor screen within the Referee Review Area experienced a signal loss from the Video Operator Room, leading to the referee’s inability to review the incident.
Nazeer Hussain, FAS director of referees, clarified that in such situations, both competing teams are informed, and the match proceeds without VAR intervention. He expressed regret over the incident’s impact on the match’s outcome and assured that he would personally reach out to Hougang United. To prevent such disruptions in the future, FAS plans to introduce an additional signal pathway for referees on an alternative monitor.
VAR in Singapore Football
Introduced in 2023, VAR was brought into Singapore football to assist on-field referees in reviewing “clear and obvious errors”. However, this isn’t the first time VAR has faced technical issues. Similar malfunctions have been reported in other leagues, including a notable incident in the A-League grand final in 2018.
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