Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Football League(MFL) confirmed that the cost of implementing VAR would be fully borne by the governing body for now.
Previously, MFL will have to face the huge financial implications of implementing Video Assistance Referee (VAR) technology starting next season, which will cost around RM9.7 million for the first year operating costs of technology, considering they need to provide infrastructure by taking the approach of using a mobile truck equipped with a system to be controlled in the stadium.
“At the moment, (the cost) of the MFL is due to the use of VAR and the cost of VAR is not something that the team is happy to swallow. In the relatively tight financial position of the team, it is a very high cost.” Stuart said.
“At this time, the MFL is doing its best to ensure that costs can be collected from the MFL itself. If there are any constraints at the VAR level, I will speak personally with the team’s chief executive officer about the matter,”
However, Stuart could not confirm the situation when asked if the implementation of VAR underwritten by the MFL would have a ‘domino effect’ on broadcasting rights distribution.
“I cannot confirm whether this matter will affect the distribution of broadcasting rights. Next season is still far away and we need to confirm the overall costs that will be received from contractors, broadcasters and their supplies.”
“At the moment, the budget is RM9.7 million, and that is the maximum cost for us to implement VAR, but maybe we can get it lower. We can also commercialize VAR to find sponsors,”
Credit Photo : FAM
