VAR still hot issue in Europe

Six months after successfully making its World Cup debut in Russia, the video assistant referee (VAR) system remains a "work in progress" that continues to spark controversy across Europe's top leagues.

"The VAR is like an airbag - it can help in case of emergency, but only in case of a real emergency," is how former Swiss referee Urs Meier regards the system, which still draws mixed views on how best to be utilized.

In Germany, where the VAR is into its second season, video assistants are being instructed not to improve decisions - only to eradicate bad ones.