Clay Ruperti at the ARAG KNVB Replay Center in Zeist. – Photo: KNVB Media
Clay Ruperti and Pol van Boekel form the VAR duo for the match between Sturm Graz and Girona on Wednesday evening. The match in Austria is led by Norwegian referee Rohit Saggi.
Ruperti has been appointed by UEFA as a Video Assistant Referee. He is assisted in assessing the images by Pol van Boekel, who is an Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR).
The duo will also play in the Champions League a day earlier. Van Boekel is VAR at Bayern Munich – Paris Saint-Germain, while Ruperti is AVAR at BSC Young Boys – Atalanta Bergamo.
**Considering the criticisms surrounding VAR’s implementation, what concrete steps can be taken to address concerns about consistency and minimize disruptions to the flow of the game?**
## World-Today-News Exclusive: Inside the VAR Room with Clay Ruperti and Pol van Boekel
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World-Today-News. Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with two of football’s unsung heroes: Clay Ruperti and Pol van Boekel, a VAR duo officiating in both the UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Champions League. Their expertise is vital in ensuring fairness and accuracy in the beautiful game.
**Section 1: The VAR Duo Dynamic**
**Interviewer:** Clay and Pol, thank you for joining us. Can you explain to our readers how you work together as a VAR duo? What are the specific roles assigned to each of you within the VAR team?
**Interviewer:** Clay, as the designated VAR, how do you handle making potentially game-changing decisions under pressure?
**Section 2: Navigating High-Stakes Matches:**
**Interviewer:** Both of you are officiating some exceptionally high-profile matches this week, including Bayern Munich versus Paris Saint-Germain. How do you mentally prepare for such high-stakes encounters? Do you find there’s added pressure?
**Interviewer:** Pol, you’ve mentioned the ‘AVAR’ role. Can you elaborate on the challenges and rewards of that position, particularly when providing crucial information to the VAR during a critical moment?
**Section 3: The Evolution and Impact of VAR:**
**Interviewer:** VAR technology has undoubtedly transformed football officiating. Clay, how have you seen VAR evolve since its introduction, and what are some of the key improvements?
**Interviewer:** Pol, there have been criticisms of VAR’s implementation. How do you address concerns about potential inconsistencies in decision-making or overly disruptive interventions in the flow of the game?
**Section 4: Looking Ahead:**
**Interviewer:** Looking towards the future, what advancements do you envision for VAR technology? How can it continue to evolve to improve the officiating of football matches?
**Closing:**
We want to thank Clay Ruperti and Pol van Boekel for their insightful conversation. Their dedication to accuracy and fairness is truly commendable, and their contributions to the world of football officiating are invaluable.
