DAZN Italy: launch of the "Open VAR" format to analyse refereeing decisions in the Serie A TIM

The OTT sports platform DAZN has launched the "Open VAR" format in Italy, in collaboration with the FIGC and the Italian referees' association (AIA), to analyse the decisions taken by referees during Serie A TIM matches, announced the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio on 23/09/2023. The first broadcast took place on 24/09/2023 after the Torino FC - AS Roma game (1-1, Matchday 5 of the 2023-24 Serie A TIM).

"Open Var" is presented every Sunday evening during the "Sunday Night Square" programme, in the presence of an AIA "guest". "Together with the DAZN team, the referees will re-enact the main episodes of this season. It will be possible to analyse and deepen - thanks to the exclusive audios of the exchanges between the referees and the VAR referees combined with the images - the referee's assessments and final interpretations of the most interesting elements gathered on the pitch during the matchdays," explained the FIGC.

"Open VAR can also be commented on live directly in the application thanks to the Fan Zone function. The DAZN team will interact via chat with questions and polls…