Football has evolved dramatically over the years. The game is faster, players are fitter, and the stakes are higher than ever.

Yet, despite all these advancements, we still rely on a single referee to control a match, often expecting them to make split-second decisions with limited angles of vision. While VAR has helped at the top level, officiating remains a major talking point, particularly in the EFL, where technology isn’t always available. It’s time to rethink how matches are refereed—and introduce a system that better suits the modern game.

This weekend in the Lincoln City and Exeter City game, there were two huge decisions that affected the outcome, which may have been easier to sort out if the following reform takes place.

VAR Has Made a Difference, But What About the EFL?

VAR has been one of the most controversial introductions in football history, but there’s no denying that it has helped eliminate some of the worst refereeing errors in the Premier League. The technology may not be perfect, but it has ensured greater accuracy in key decisions.

However, in the Championship, League One, and League Two, where VAR is not available, referees are still expected to make crucial decisions in an instant, without the benefit of replays or multiple angles. This has led to costly mistakes—like the recent incident involving Colchester United, where the PGMOL had to apologise for an incorrectly awarded goal. Clubs in these leagues operate on fine margins, and poor decisions can cost teams points, promotion, or even survival.

Four Assistants: A Logical Evolution

Currently, referees rely on two assistant referees running the touchlines and a fourth official, who is largely responsible for administrative duties. This setup has remained unchanged for decades, despite the game becoming faster and more physically demanding. A simple yet effective solution would be to introduce four assistant referees, each covering one quarter of the pitch.

On Saturday in the Lincoln game, a blatant handball was missed. It occurred on the opposite side of field from the assistant referee, with the referee unsighted. Had there been an assistant on the other side of the field, Lincoln City would have had a penalty.

By splitting responsibilities in this way, match officials would have better coverage of all incidents. Fouls that go unnoticed in crowded areas, off-the-ball incidents, and marginal offside calls would be easier to spot. Referees are often unsighted in key moments—having more officials on the pitch would significantly reduce this issue.

A Second Referee in the Stands

Another potential reform would be the introduction of a ‘second referee’—a match official stationed in the stands, with access to screens and different camera angles. This official would not be a full VAR system but rather a referee with the authority to advise the on-field official on key incidents.

For example, if the referee on the pitch misses a blatant handball or foul in the box, the second referee could step in and communicate via headset, offering an immediate second opinion without the delays associated with full VAR reviews. This would allow the game to maintain its flow while still reducing the number of major errors.

In the Lincoln and Exeter game, a late goal was disallowed for Exeter for an apparent handball. Would a second referee have been able to intervene? Possibly, having an elevated view of the incident may have helped.

The Game Has Evolved—So Should Refereeing

Football today is unrecognisable from the game played 30 or 40 years ago. The pace has increased dramatically, tactics are more complex, and players are more skilled than ever. Yet, the refereeing system has barely changed. Expecting one referee to control 22 elite athletes, often in front of tens of thousands of passionate fans, is an outdated concept.

We’ve seen high-profile errors time and time again. From the infamous ‘ghost goal’ at Watford in 2008 to the recent PGMOL admission of fault in Colchester’s match, there is no shortage of evidence that reform is needed. Adding more officials on the pitch and in the stands would be a logical, affordable, and effective way to ensure fairer outcomes.

Conclusion

VAR has shown that technology can assist referees, but it is not available across all levels of the game, and it does not solve every problem. The real issue is that the officiating system itself is outdated. Introducing four assistants to provide greater coverage and a second referee in the stands to act as an extra set of eyes would modernise football’s approach to refereeing.

The game has changed. It’s time the way we officiate it changed too.