Sports
Rwanda to begin testing VAR technology in second half of 2025/26 football season
The President of the Rwandan Football Federation, Shema Fabrice, has announced that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be piloted during the second half of the 2025/26 national league season. The goal is to fully implement VAR in the upcoming season, following referee training and system testing.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, October 27, 2025, Shema addressed growing concerns over refereeing decisions, which have sparked controversy and led to the temporary suspension of several match officials.
“In our region, the VAR hub is based in Tanzania,” Shema explained.
“But sending just two referees out of 200 for training isn’t enough. We plan to bring the system to Rwanda and train a larger group locally.”
He added that if all goes well, VAR trials will begin during the return fixtures of the current season with full deployment expected in the 2026/27 campaign.
“We’re currently reforming our refereeing standards,” he said.
“By February, when the second half of the season begins, we aim to have VAR supporting match decisions.”
The 2025/26 league is currently in its fifth round, but officiating remains one of the most debated issues. Several clubs have filed formal complaints, and the federation is under pressure to restore trust and transparency in match outcomes.
