KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Chief executive officer of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), Owen Hill, has maintained that it would be too costly to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the Jamaican Premier League (JPL) playoffs.
His comments have come following a controversial decision in Sunday’s first-leg semifinal clash between Portmore United and Mount Pleasant Academy that saw a goal from Portmore striker Cory Burke in the second half being disallowed.
Following the incident, there were calls for VAR to be used for the remainder of the playoffs to avoid a recurrence.
However, Hill said the PFJL was not in a financial position to do so.
“Yes, it is nice to have these new technologies being implemented, but it is in the context of cost, and that is always a consideration. As it stands, we are unable to afford those costs for VAR implementation.
“The referees are capable, and so I won’t speak on those matters. They made a decision on the field, which is what they are expected to do, so that’s the decision, and the game ended 1-0 in favor of Mount Pleasant,” Hill said.
Hill pointed out that introducing VAR would require more than simply installing the technology, noting that there was also a shortage of locally certified officials.
“It requires way more than just implementation. You need a trained set of VAR officials, and as far as I know, we have only one VAR-certified official in our country, who may be on the pitch.
“It is going to be difficult, but do we want it? Yes, we do. Which version do we want? That is a function of cost, and so we won’t have VAR this season. We may have as close as a replay system, which you saw in the stadium, but that by no means constitutes VAR,” Hill said.
Hill said that while the PFJL remained committed to improving the league, several priorities must be balanced against the league’s financial realities.
“We are always looking to improve the league. I won’t limit it to VAR, because several other league development initiatives will be streamlined and phased in. Some will require more investment than others.
“But again, I understand the immediate feeling and sentiment that is shared externally. However, everything is in the context of cost and investment, and where we are as a league. There are still other, more important things that need to be implemented,” Hill said.
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