Legendary Former FIFA Referee Ace "Mr Spot on" Ngcobo Explains Strict Instances When VAR Can Be Used

• Former FIFA referee Andile "Ace" Ngcobo, one of the most famous to come out of South Africa, has re-explained the use of the video assistant referee (VAR)
• This was after it caused much confusion among local football fans, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns ones following a penalty incident in their match on Saturday
• Ngcobo, known as "Mr Spot On" during his time local television, narrowed down the parameters in which referees turned to VAR for assistance

Former FIFA referee Ace "Mr Spot On" Ngcobo once again schooled football fans about the laws governing football.

Ngcobo was speaking on SuperSport last night on its programme "Extra Time", explaining when referees were allowed to turn to the video assistant referee. This was in relation to a controversial moment in the CAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Petro de Luanda.

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Sundowns' Andile Jali fouled a Luanda player inside the box, though the referee gave a goalkick to Sundowns. However, after consulting with VAR, the referee overturned the decision, awarding a penalty to the visitors, which they converted to make the score 1-1. This was crucial, as the home team was knocked out 3-2 on aggregate.

Explaining to host Carol Tshabalala, Ngcobo said:

"There are four instances when VAR can be used: 1) When the referee has made a clear and obvious error, the VAR comes in; 2) Penalty or no penalty; 3) Direct red card the VAR may come; 4) Mistaken identity, when a card is shown to a player and that player is not the one who committed the (foul).

"The video assistant referee will make a suggestion to the referee the decision. It's a suggestion."

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VAR hits South Africa shores but not in the Premier Soccer League

History will be made last weekend in South African football.

As reported by Sports Brief, the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup quarterfinal second leg matches between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates against Petro de Luanda and Simba FC respectively saw the first use of the Video Assistant Referee in a country boasting the richest league on the African continent.

With that in mind, it raises a question that has been asked before: why is there no VAR being used in the Premier Soccer League' various televised competitions?