The Effect of the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) on Referee Decisions in 1he Indonesian Liga 1

Ardianta Selasa, September 08, 2026
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FORMOSA NEWS

Video Assistant Referee Technology Increases Match Duration and Enhances Player Discipline in Indonesia's Liga 1

YOGYAKARTA, Formosa News — The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in Indonesia's Liga 1 has significantly altered match dynamics by extending stoppage time and cultivating greater player discipline through a noticeable reduction in yellow cards. A comprehensive comparative study led by Ghiffary Haslan Purwanto, Tomoliyus, Endang Rini Sukamti, and Abdul Alim from Yogyakarta State University, published in the Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Multidisciplinary Research (MODERN) in 2026, evaluated 612 official matches across two consecutive seasons. The empirical findings provide critical insights into how digital officiating tools impact professional football management, player behavior, and match fairness in emerging sports markets.

The implementation of officiating technology has become a modern benchmark for maintaining integrity and transparency in professional sports worldwide. In Indonesia, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and league operator PT Liga Indonesia Baru officially introduced VAR during the 2024/2025 Liga 1 season to elevate refereeing standards and mitigate decision-making controversies. Indonesian football is widely recognized for its intense fan rivalry, high spectator pressure, and physically demanding style of play. Assessing the real-world impact of VAR in this unique environment is essential for determining whether video review systems effectively calm field tensions, alter match outcomes, or create administrative challenges regarding match duration.

To evaluate the empirical effects of VAR technology, researchers from the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at Yogyakarta State University designed a descriptive-analytical comparative study. The research team examined data from two full league seasons: 306 matches from the 2023/2024 season without VAR and 306 matches from the 2024/2025 season with VAR. Match statistics were retrieved from official data provider Lapang Bola and official broadcasting footage from Vidio. The study analyzed six key variables: first-half extra time, second-half extra time, total goals, corner kicks, yellow cards, and red cards. Statistical comparisons were performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and validated through a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to ensure cross-method consistency.

The empirical analysis by the Yogyakarta State University team revealed four key findings regarding the impact of VAR on Liga 1 match dynamics:

  • Match Stoppage Time Increased Significantly: First-half added time increased from an average of 135.49 seconds to 190.59 seconds ($p < 0.001$), while second-half added time expanded from 277.45 seconds to 356.08 seconds ($p < 0.001$), driven by review communication and on-field checks.
  • Yellow Cards Decreased Markedly: Yellow cards per match dropped significantly from an average of 4.97 to 4.34 ($p < 0.001$), indicating a clear shift toward greater player caution and improved self-regulation.
  • Goal Frequency Declined Slightly: Average goals per match decreased from 2.88 to 2.61 ($p = 0.035$), reflecting stricter verification of offside positions and fouls prior to goal validation.
  • Technical Gameplay Remained Unchanged: Corner kick frequencies showed no statistically significant change (9.86 vs. 9.65, $p = 0.284$), confirming that tactical game executions operate independently of video officiating intervention.

The real-world implications of this research demonstrate that VAR serves a dual purpose in professional football: corrective officiating and psychological deterrence. The presence of video surveillance deters aggressive physical contact, prompting players to manage their emotions and avoid reckless tackles. For league administrators and sports policymakers, the observed increase in match duration highlights the need for continued training to streamline communication between field referees and video control rooms. Enhancing review efficiency will help balance decision accuracy with maintaining match momentum, ultimately boosting commercial value and public trust in national sports competitions.

Highlighting the transformative role of technology in Indonesian football, the research team emphasized the broader cultural impact of VAR on match integrity. "The implementation of VAR technology in Indonesia's Liga 1 serves not only as a corrective tool for refereeing decisions, but also actively shapes player behavior by promoting discipline and caution on the pitch," stated Ghiffary Haslan Purwanto and co-authors from Yogyakarta State University. "This technological integration makes a positive contribution to increasing professionalism, transparency, and a sense of fairness across national football competitions."

Author Profiles

  1. Ghiffary Haslan Purwanto, S.Pd. Affiliation: Department of Sports Coaching Education, Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia, Field of Expertise: Sports Coaching, Match Performance Analysis, and Sports Technology
  2. Prof. Dr. Tomoliyus, M.S. Affiliation: Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia, Field of Expertise: Sports Coaching Education and Exercise Methodology
  3. Prof. Dr. Endang Rini Sukamti, MS. Affiliation: Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia, Field of Expertise: Physical Conditioning and High-Performance Sports
  4. Dr. Abdul Alim, S.Pd., C.O.R., M.Or. Affiliation: Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia, Field of Expertise: Sports Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation

Research Source Information

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