The biggest thing is to help the referees be more fair in terms of justice (decision), but of course if there is any new talk (problem), we have to improve like anything in life, says Figo
In the last one week Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has created quite a few controversies with the most debatable being the game between Manchester United and PSG that saw the former make it to the Champions League quarterfinals.
If not for VAR and Marcus Rashford’s successful penalty spot-kick in injury time, thanks to Presnel Kimpembe handball, United would have crashed out of the tournament on 3-2 aggregate, even making injured Neymar furious, who was watching from the stands.
The technology has raised a debate of a kind, but Portuguese legend Luis Figo defended it and called for its adaptation.
“VAR is part of our life. I think VAR must improve (like) everything in life,” said Figo who is in the city for a fan event.
“Because now in our life everyone is depending on technology and we have to adapt VAR to football in the best way possible.”
He added, “The biggest thing is to help the referees be more fair in terms of justice (decision), but of course if there is any new talk (problem), we have to improve like anything in life.
“This is the first season that the referees are trying VAR (in Champions League) and for sure it is a positive sign. But of course you have define the concept of VAR and how do you use it to make the right decision,” said UEFA Champions League ambassador Figo,
Asked how impact Real Madrid has been impacted after Crisitiano Ronaldo’s exit, Figo said: “He is the best football player in the World, so when he moves, of course there will be a big impact. But I don’t know the reasons, all I can say is that Ronaldo is a great professional and is making history in football.
“Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world and football is like that. Real Madrid will survive without Ronaldo, yes Ronaldo is making history without Real, but that is football.”
Given a chance will he coach Real Madrid? Figo replied in the negative.
“Who me? I’m very happy working with UEFA to develop football and I don’t have licence to coach and it is very difficult without a licence in today’s world (to coach),” he said.
Figo also backed his former team and defending champions Real Madrid, which was knocked out of the Champions League three days ago by Ajax at the Bernabeu.
“I think it’s not the moment to criticise because it was really a tough week for Real Madrid as they lost everything in one week.
“They (Real) did not have much time to settle because they had little time to find the new coach after (Zinedine) Zidane left. And this season unlike earlier did not start so well, then they changed coach, the players, they had the World Cup, different players joined the pre-season at different times. It is not always a good thing, they didn’t rest enough and so the results were not good,” Figo said.
UEFA JUSTIFIES VAR
Presnel Kimpembe’s handball which led to Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over PSG was referred to video technology as it was “a serious missed incident”, UEFA said in an unusual statement on Friday.
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 "Luis Figo")
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