As the world waits for LaLiga Santander to kick off for 2018/19 season one thing is certainly going to be introduced.
The globally recognised football league is set to experience new innovations with the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the goal line technology from the 2018/2019 football season.
According to Javier Del Rio, the VAR, which recorded huge success during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be only be consulted in four instances; when a goal is scored, and it is debated, it will determine if a penalty should be given or not. The machine will further determine if an action deserves a red card or not, and it will be used in identifying a player.
Del Rio’s speech aligns with earlier announcement made before the sport’s rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), formally ratified the use of the technology on a permanent basis at a meeting in the Swiss city of Zurich.
In a statement, La Liga had stated the agreement with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to utilise the technology, and that the video operations centre for VAR will be located in the RFEF’s Ciudad del Fútbol complex located outside Madrid.
The Mediapro agency will deliver the technology behind the system, with La Liga to cover the cost of implementing it.
Thus, speaking recently at the West Town Hotel, Lagos, Del Rio revealed that there will be audio quality improvements and 3D graphics, with more stadiums having sky cameras and the Intel True View system, in the coverage of matches in the Spanish top league.
The country chairman, speaking about the achievements of the league, affirmed that the Spanish La Liga is the best football league in the World. According to him, “The La Liga is more than the World Cup or UEFA Champions League final.
Javier Del Rio, Country Manager, LaLiga Nigeria, speaking to Sports Journalists today
“Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Sevilla are the top four teams according to the latest rankings released by UEFA. The Spanish La Liga is watched in 182 countries in the world, and 60 million followers on social media.
“It is also on record that eleven players were in action in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia.
“The LaLiga Santander can simply be described as entertainment, sports excellence, innovations and passion. The league showcases its gastronomy, culture, leisure and Music.
Del Rio noted that the La Liga is not only about the El Classico, there are other big matches like Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid, Levante UD vs Valencia and Real Betis vs Sevilla. He further revealed that “out of the twenty coaches in the La Liga, fifteen of them are Spanish, and the remaining five are Argentine, and once played in the La Liga”
Something interesting will also happen this year. According to the Media and Communications co-coordinator, La Liga Nigeria, Ayodeji Adegbenro, the Spanish league is set to open an office in Lagos, for it to be more operational.
He also made it known that there will be trainings for football administrators on 30th and 31st October, 2018 for football administrators. The league will partner with the Lagos Business School.
SD Huesca will be making their debut bin the season, alongside, Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid haven gained promotion from the 2017/2018 Segunda Division.
The league will welcome new players like Nigerian striker Moses Simon, who joins Levante UD from KAA Gent. Arturo Vidal, who left FC Bayern Munich to join FC Barcelona, Thiabuis Courtois who joins Real Madrid from Chelsea, after winning the golden glove in the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the best goalkeeper of the tournament,