I.League Clarifies Viral Empty VAR Room Video in Indonesia's Second Division

Indonesian football was thrown into controversy after a viral video appeared to show an empty VAR room during a Liga 2 match between Persiba Balikpapan and PSS Sleman in the 2025/2026 Pegadaian Championship. The footage spread rapidly across social media and even attracted attention from international accounts, raising concerns over the reliability of VAR operations in the competition.

The clip sparked widespread speculation, with many viewers questioning whether there had been a technical failure or operational negligence. Since the room appeared inactive in the video, doubts quickly emerged about the integrity of decision-making during the match, prompting strong public demands for an official explanation from the league operator.

In response, I.League issued a formal clarification to address the growing concerns. The organization stated that VAR operations had been conducted in full accordance with established procedures and that there were no disruptions affecting officiating decisions throughout the game.

According to league officials, all members of the VAR team, including the main video assistant referee, assistant VAR, and replay operator, remained at their designated stations and carried out their duties as normal. As a result, all key match decisions were processed through valid and regulated review mechanisms without interference.

The operator later identified the source of confusion as a broadcast-side system error, which caused the visuals shown to the public to misrepresent the actual conditions inside the VAR room. Despite the misleading footage, communication between match officials and the VAR team reportedly remained smooth, reinforcing the league's commitment to maintaining transparency, professionalism, and accountability in the use of officiating technology.