An unprecedented intervention by the VAR saves Machida against Shabab Al-Ahly… and the AFC is forced to make an “official explanation”

A Japanese press report acknowledged that the unprecedented intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology saved the Machida team in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League, during its confrontation with Shabab Al-Ahly, in the incident of resuming play during a substitution.

The Japanese newspaper “Jimi Saka” described the incident as controversial, acknowledging that resuming play without waiting for the referee’s whistle, or using wrong methods or locations to restart play on free kicks, or committing errors on throw-ins, are not usually subject to the intervention of the video assistant referee technology since its application.

She pointed out that the principle of using the “mouse” technology was based on the philosophy of “achieving the maximum benefit with the least interference,” and acknowledged that this technology’s supervision of the resumption of play may lead to “excessive interference,” so this type of interference in decisions to resume play is extremely rare in the world.

She added: “On the other hand, these principles were not explicitly stated in the laws of the game, but were included in the referees’ guide that was published in the early days of applying the VAR technology. Therefore, the mere fact that the referee makes a decision on the field that violates these principles does not necessarily mean that it can be immediately rejected as a “misuse of the VAR technology.”

She concluded: “After Machida’s 1-0 victory, the players and staff of Shabab Al-Ahly continued their strong protest against the referee after the match, and it is certain that the debate on this issue will remain heated, and it is likely that the AFC will be forced to provide an official explanation.”

Machida’s team was going to introduce midfielder Henry Kaiki Mochizuki instead of right-back Hotaka Nakamura, but play was resumed before Mochizuki could enter the field.

Referee Sean Evans did not stop the resumption of play, so the opposing team launched an attack from the right side of Machida Stadium, where midfielder Guilherme Parra fired a powerful shot from outside the area into the net.

It seemed that the equalizing goal would be awarded, but with Machida’s substitute bench strongly protesting against making the substitution, the VAR intervened, and after referee Evans reviewed the footage on the touchline screen, the decision was eventually overturned, and the goal was disallowed.

Japanese team player Daihashi Okamura said after the match: “VAR helped us in this match.”