David GOMBE
The President of the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema, has confirmed that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used in the second round of the Rwanda Premier League.
The referees will first undergo specialised training ahead of the system’s full implementation next season.
Shema revealed the development on Monday, October 27, 2025, while addressing ongoing concerns about officiating in the league.
“In our zone, the VAR department is based in Tanzania, but I told them there’s no need to send just two referees for training out of 200,” Shema explained. “Instead, we have requested that experts from Tanzania come to Rwanda so that we can train a larger group locally.”
He added, “It’s likely that we will begin testing VAR in the first few matches of the second round.”
The 2025/26 Rwanda Premier League season has reached Matchday Five, but there have been refereeing concerns with multiple officials being suspended and teams frequently voicing complaints about officiating quality.
The VAR system has already been installed at the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium.
