Catch the Insights: How a professional football VAR brings video replay in handball to the next level

The second article in our special Women's EHF EURO 2024 series 'Catch the Insights' features former FIFA referee João Capela who is teaching EHF handball referees about the perfect use of new technologies

João Capela is new to handball, but is already proving his usefulness for the European Handball Federation (EHF). The 40-year-old Portuguese was a professional football referee, officiating many UEFA Champions League and European League matches. Towards the end of his referee career, he started to use VAR (video assistant referee) technology in football.

In 2017, he started VAR in Portugal, and then switched from refereeing to become a VAR manager for FIFA and the Portuguese Football Federation and then a VAR in the Greek football league.

In Greece his connection to handball started, as he met EHF Officiating Unit Coordinator George S. Bebetsos. This was the start of a new journey, as Capela is now the expert for the usage of video replay (VR) technology at the EHF.

“George and I talked about the introduction of video replay in handball and also how to use it. We started the cooperation at the Men’s EHF EURO 2024 as the first competition, and this is my project now,” explains Capela.

The new project combines Capela’s experience and knowledge with the existing technologies used by the EHF officials and referees.

“I bring this whole experience of working with video replay, how to use it, how to try to find out the best process not to make factual mistakes,” he explains.

Differences between the video replays in two sports

Even though almost the same technologies are used in handball and football, there are differences.

“For me, it was exciting because I recognised that the use of video replay and other technology is the same process in any sport, even if the rules differ. Everyone in sport is always discussing the decisions, if it's an intervention or not, if the referee needs to check or not, if it's a red card or two-minute suspension, a penalty or no penalty, says Capela and continues to explain the differences between video replay in handball and football.

“Handball is much more difficult to referee than football, because it's much faster. The line between the correct physical contact that is permitted, a two-minute suspension or a red card, is very thin, and it's very difficult for the referees to understand this and to also evaluate the action of the attacker. Therefore, it's very demanding.”

There are three different ways to use the video replay in EHF competitions: referees can use a tablet to check the scene, as it is the case in the EHF Champions League; then there are matches with replay operators; and now at the EHF EURO events in 2024, the video referee assistant, situated close to the officials’ table, supports the referees by preparing the required video material.

“The most important thing when we introduced this video replay project was to explain to the referees that they still decide whether to use this technology or not. In football you have the video assistant referee, the VAR, that calls you and says, look, you made a mistake, come and check. In handball, it's the referee that takes the decision to go and check, here at the EHF EURO supported by the video referee assistant. We told the referees that they have the technology and engaged them to use it in specific moments. You cannot compete against 16 cameras, it's impossible,” says Capela.

How are referees trained?

The first part of the referee and officials’ coaching is theoretical, about the situations when they can or cannot use VR. Meanwhile, in the workshops the referees first focus on the process: from the moment they take the decision to use video replay, the approach to the delegate, how they communicate with the delegate, how they access the video referee table, how they analyse the images from different perspectives – in slow motion and regular speed – how they take the final decision, and how they eventually communicate this decision.

Capela says: “It is a very complex process, because it's also a very difficult mental task. From the moment that you decided to use the video replay, all eyes are on you. You stop the match, and then everyone is watching what you are doing. We have to have standards which all EHF referees from a certain level on need to fulfil.”

An integral part of process is how to communicate because the operator (if in place) needs to understand what the referees exactly want to check.

“The aim is to lose as little time as possible, but still to have a clear image of the situation.”

Capela explains that the group of referees is very open to discussion. "They understood clearly what was requested. And we now have the experience and data from analysing many matches in which video replay was used.”

And how quickly they make the decision is ultimately up to them.

“They should take their time, but of course, they are under stress and want to take the decision as quickly as possible. But if they are too quick, the assistant does not have the video material ready,” says Capela, who also underlines the mental preparation for the referees with a psychologist as part of the training as “they learn how to calm down, to use the time they need, and to take the final decision as balanced as they can.”

Evaluation of referees' reactions

Another important topic in the preparation was to create a common approach for referees from different countries and different leagues when using VR. The video replay expert, Capela is giving individual feedback to all referees after they use VR on a Women’s EHF EURO 2024 match.

“I receive the clips, I measure the time from stopping the match until the final decision is taken for each situation, I check the communication of referees towards delegate and assistant and finally I send a report. So, we give them the feedback of the positive things, and the things they need to improve,” Capela explained.

The former FIFA referee adds that referees usually come to appreciate what VR can do gradually.

“When I was a football referee, first I was against VAR, but then I realised that I have a tool that can help me in the big matches to take clear decisions. The same applied for handball in the beginning, but now all parties are happy with the use of video replay. Coaches and players accept when the referee checks certain decisions. The big discussion is only arising, when referees do not make use of video replay in critical situations, and if the flow of a match is interrupted too often.”

Now Capela is also a great fan of VR in handball: “We need to have the technology, as we need to use the images that everyone sees at home, also some teams already have their tablets on the benches – and now even the fans in the arenas can see it. Currently, handball has all the conditions to provide a really fun engagement to everyone. More important than that is to be fair, and contribute for the positive way. We have what we need to take our decisions. It is more about how to use the experience to intensify the training of the referees with the existing technology,” Capela concludes.