General Administration of Sport Responds to Proposal for VAR Expansion in China’s Secondary Football Leagues

The General Administration of Sport of China has officially responded to a proposal from National People’s Congress delegate Zhai Zhihai regarding the expansion of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology into the nation’s secondary professional football leagues. In a formal reply published on its website, the administration acknowledged the necessity of VAR for modernizing the sport while outlining significant operational and financial hurdles that currently prevent its full implementation across the China League One and China League Two divisions.

Financial and Technical Barriers to League Expansion

The administration identified three primary obstacles that have stalled the rollout of VAR in the secondary tiers. First, the capital expenditure and maintenance costs are prohibitive. A fully functional VAR system requires high-definition cameras, fiber-optic communication networks, and dedicated replay workstations. With lower market revenues compared to the Chinese Super League (CSL), clubs in the lower divisions face a substantial funding gap if forced to adopt the technology.

Second, the league faces a shortage of certified personnel. VAR operations require referees and video operators who have completed specialized training and hold FIFA-accredited certifications. Currently, the domestic pool of qualified professionals is insufficient to support the regular match schedules of 40 different teams across the two secondary leagues.

Third, existing stadium infrastructure is often inadequate. Many venues hosting League One and League Two matches lack the necessary technical specifications, including sufficient stand height for camera placement, appropriate lighting, stable high-bandwidth internet, and standardized camera positioning.

Progress in the Chinese Super League and Pilot Programs

While secondary leagues await full integration, the administration highlighted the successful, full-scale implementation of VAR in the Chinese Super League. Beyond the top tier, the technology has seen limited use in key matches during the 15th National Games and through experimental applications in local city leagues, such as the “Su Chao.”

This dialogue between the government and representatives is not new. In 2025, during the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, Zhai Zhihai first proposed the expansion of VAR, citing frequent officiating disputes in the lower leagues. In a June 26, 2025, response, the General Administration of Sport recognized the importance of the technology and initiated a pilot program, aiming to cover at least 30 matches across the secondary leagues that year as a starting point for systemic upgrades.

Future Implementation Strategy

Looking ahead, the General Administration of Sport stated it will continue to guide the Chinese Football Association and the professional league committees in developing a sustainable path forward. The strategy involves a combination of government funding, private capital investment, and league revenue to offset the costs of infrastructure upgrades.

The administration also emphasized a focus on increasing the talent pipeline by expanding training programs for VAR-certified referees and operators. Delegate Zhai Zhihai has maintained that the time for full implementation in League One is overdue, arguing that the maturation of domestic technology, lower equipment costs, and a consistent pattern of officiating controversies in the 2026 season make the adoption of VAR a critical priority for maintaining the integrity of the professional competition.