THE Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has announced plans to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Premier League starting with the 2025/26 season.

This development comes after TFF successfully acquired the necessary VAR equipment with support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

TFF President Wallace Karia, in a monitored interview, confirmed the federation’s readiness to introduce the technology, emphasizing that a comprehensive training workshop for referees and operators is the next step.

"The seminar for referees and officials is crucial since both CAF and FIFA require licensed VAR operators for their events," Karia explained.

He added that the long-term goal is to extend the use of VAR to all leagues and tournaments across Tanzania.

"CAF has provided us with all the necessary documentation and guidelines for the use of VAR. We are now prepared to introduce it in the 2025/26 Premier League," Karia stated.

VAR is a technology-aided officiating system designed to assist on-field referees in making accurate decisions during critical moments of a football match. 

The VAR team operates remotely, monitoring matches on multiple screens with real-time access to video footage from various camera angles.

This system aims to enhance fairness and accuracy in football by reducing errors in key decisions such as goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.

Meanwhile, Karia revealed that TFF is considering penalizing clubs that engage in black magic practices to influence match outcomes.

He said the federation plans to engage football stakeholders to discuss potential amendments to rules that could lead to the deduction of points from teams found engaging in such practices.

“Black magic is commonly associated with football matches, especially among supporters, but it drains club resources and offers no tangible benefits. 

“Surprisingly, teams that rely on such practices often suffer significant defeats,” Karia remarked.

In many African countries, the use of black magic in football is widespread, with supporters often convincing club officials of its effectiveness. 

Karia, however, dismissed these beliefs, urging clubs to focus on proper training and preparation instead of superstitions.

TFF's move to address these issues is part of broader efforts to enhance professionalism and integrity in Tanzanian football.