COLWYN BAY Football Club has been granted permission for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at The Blue Turtle Arena on Llanelian Road, Old Colwyn.
The retrospective application was approved at Conwy’s November planning committee meeting at the council’s Coed Pella HQ.
Councillors heard how The Seagulls, who play in the Cymru Premier League, have already installed the system, along with a new timber kiosk to house the video operations room.
Proposing approval, Cllr Austin Roberts said: “As someone who is a supporter of football and the Welsh national team, they (the VAR system) will be coming online next season, and it will be a requirement for all football clubs in the league to have these facilities, so I propose that we do go with the recommendation.”
Cllr Trystan Lewis seconded the proposal. But not all members were convinced.
Cllr David Carr added: “There is an awful lot of controversy with these video referees. There are people who want to get rid of them!”
VAR uses a video assistant referee, a qualified official that watches video footage of the game, with access to multiple screens, angles, and replays to assist the on-field officials in reaching the correct decisions.
The system is used globally, assisting referees in leagues in over 70 countries to “minimise the risk of human error”.
A second retrospective application was also approved for Portaloos to replace the ground’s toilets.
Both votes were unanimous.
