Reference: VAR referee van for the Football Association of Finland

Mediatrade designed and implemented a VAR van for the Football Association of Finland, in the spring of 2024.

The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) referee van is built to function independently as an addition to outside broadcasts.

Football Association of Finland

The Football Association of Finland, as a member of the International Football Association FIFA, is responsible for all football and futsal activities and their development in Finland.

VAR refereeing to Finland

VAR refereeing has been introduced in the football fields around the globe since 2016. The VAR van is the first step in introducing VAR refereeing in Finland.

Photo: Jyri Sulander

2 referees and 1 VAR operator

Some stadiums have limited communication connections and fewer cameras are used in matches. For this reason, VAR van was a natural solution instead of a separate center.

The VAR van is equipped for two referees and a VAR operator. The unit consists of VAR cameras that go with the car, the referees’ command devices and a VAR observation unit built on the side of the field for the field referee.

In the summer of 2024, Palloliitto (the Football Association of Finland) has trained referees in VAR operation. FIFA observers audited the system during the implementation tests carried out in connection with the Helsinki Cup. The first official VAR match was the semi-final match SJK-KuPS on August 21. 

VAR van technology

The VAR system is based on the Goalsport VAR system, around which the car’s technology is built. The image signals come from the production van of the TV broadcast, but the car has 16 line cameras permanently included, for situations where the production or the stadium does not provide these images. 

The car itself, the technology and interior were also part of the delivery by Mediatrade Oy.

Photo: Jyri Sulander / Article photo: Jyri Sulander