‘It’s clearly not working’ – Javier Tebas calls for VAR changes in La Liga

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga, during the Desayunos Deportivos Europa Press with Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga, at Camilo Jose Cela University on January 13, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for changes to be made to VAR in Spain’s top flights and admits there have been problems with the technology.

VAR has been in the spotlight throughout the campaign, with clubs having been left angered by many controversial decisions.

Tebas has now spoken about the system and is hoping that changes will be made to help improve the officiating in La Liga.

“Well, many things need to change in VAR. I think it’s an issue that needs to be reconsidered. We have to remember that the world of VAR depends on IFAB rules, on FIFA rules. I’m one of those who are advocating, and I’ve told this to the referees’ technical committee, that we need to move towards a more advanced Video Support model, like the one that exists in women’s football and in the RFEF first division, perhaps improved for professional football,” he said.

“Things need to change because it’s clearly not working. Next year, we can say that we’ll have automatic offside, because this semi-automatic system was a smokescreen. And I think that helps, at least in some types of plays, to solve the problem, to be more objective.”

“I think we definitely need to take the bull by the horns and find a solution to a problem that generates a lot of unease among clubs, players, fans, managers, people who don’t understand football… and therefore something isn’t working, no matter what anyone wants to say.”