MAI TV isn’t just bringing the Battle of the Giants live to its paying subscribers it may have inadvertently become Fiji football’s unofficial VAR.
That was the intriguing subplot during Sunday’s Ba-Lautoka encounter.
What turned into a contest between two of Fiji’s traditional football heavyweights took another twist after the collision between Lautoka goalkeeper Senirusi Bokini and Ba striker Etonia Dogalau.
Following the incident, Ba players immediately turned towards the giant screen on the embankment side of the ground, gesturing for the referee to take another look at the replay.
Their message was clear, they believed Bokani’s challenge was intentional.
The referee responded, looked towards the screen, watched the replay of the incident, appeared to engage in a brief conversation, and then pointed to the penalty spot.
Ba had a decision.
Nabil Begg stepped up and calmly converted, giving Ba a three-goal advantage.
But beyond the penalty itself, the incident raised a much bigger question for Fiji football.
Is it time for VAR?
The irony was difficult to miss.
Mai TV had the technology, the replay and the big screen already in place.
The players knew it and on this occasion, the referee was able to use the replay to make what proved to be a decisive call.
It was a glimpse of what video-assisted refereeing could bring to the local game.
The Fiji Football Association has aligned itself with the laws and regulations of world football wherever possible.
So why not take the next step and explore a properly regulated VAR system?
Referees are only human, they will make mistakes.
They have to make split-second decisions, often from difficult angles, with players moving at tremendous speed and thousands of spectators questioning every call.
But football has also reached a stage where technology can help eliminate some of those errors.
Fiji has seen its share of controversial refereeing decisions over the years, decisions that have changed the momentum of matches, affected players and, at times, left teams feeling hard done.
VAR will not eliminate controversy completely.
Indeed, football will always have arguments over interpretation.
But it can provide another layer of protection for the integrity of the game.
The Ba-Lautoka incident demonstrated something important, the technology is already here.
The question is whether Fiji football is prepared to use it properly.
Rather than allowing players to point towards a television screen in frustration, there should be a formal system where a referee can review a serious incident under clearly defined protocols.
And moving forward where there isn’t a big screen, a field-side TV monitor could determine the outcome.
Sunday’s Ba-Lautoka match may be remembered for more than the scoreline and its few moments, Mai TV became the extra pair of eyes on the pitch.
All the FFA needs to do is sign up to the deal and bring about parity to the game.
