Chinese referee Ma Ning made history at the FIFA Club World Cup this week by explaining a VAR (video assistant referee) decision to spectators for the first time.Ning was presented with the opportunity towards the end of Wednesday’s first round clash between Al Ahly and Auckland City.Ah Ahly were 3-0 up in stoppage-time when forward Taher Mohamed was fouled by Adam Mitchell on the edge of the penalty area. The incident subsequently resulted in a VAR review.The commentator said: “And after Ma Ning has examined the footage and consulted with his colleagues he will, for the very first time in a FIFA tournament, announce the decision to the crowd and to you at home.“This is a first in world football…â€Ning reviewed the incident on his pitch-side monitor and then informed the 47,000-strong crowd of his decision.
He told the crowd over the PA system, per The Mirror: â€Decision will be a free kick. Auckland No.3 - denial of a goalscoring opportunity."Ning then ran over and showed Mitchell a straight red card.
Video: Ref makes history by explaining VAR decision to crowd
Watch the footage here:
An historic moment in football.
Football fans can expect to hear referees explaining decisions to crowd and live TV audiences on an increasingly regular basis in the future.
When else will we see this happen?
Referees communicating VAR decisions to fans is currently being trialled at the ongoing Club World Cup and will also be implemented at the Under-20 World Cup and Women’s World Cup.
It’s one of a series of initiatives that football’s administrators are introducing in an effort to improve the game.
Among the new initiatives include a white card.
History was made last month when a white card was shown by a referee during a clash between rivals Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
Read more: White card shown by football referee during Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica