CAF Champions League Final Between ASFAR and Sundowns Resumes Without VAR After Over 20-Minute Stoppage
T.E (Elbotola)
17 May 2026at15:27
The first leg of the CAF Champions League final witnessed an "embarrassing" incident before the start of the second half, as the referee decided not to resume play due to a malfunction in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
The match referee met with AS FAR captain Rabie Hrimat, as well as Sundowns captain and goalkeeper Williams, informing them of the VAR malfunction.
After a stoppage lasting more than 10 minutes, it was decided to resume play. South African channel SABC reported that both teams agreed to complete the match without VAR.
Q&A
What happened during the CAF Champions League final first leg?
The first leg of the CAF Champions League final experienced a significant delay due to a VAR malfunction. Play was halted before the second half when the referee informed both captains that the video technology was not operational, leading to an unexpected stoppage.
How did the VAR malfunction affect the CAF Champions League final?
The VAR malfunction caused an "embarrassing" stoppage of more than ten minutes before the second half could begin. Ultimately, both ASFAR and Sundowns agreed to complete the crucial first leg of the final without the Video Assistant Referee technology in use.
What was the resolution for the CAF Champions League final match?
The CAF Champions League final match resumed after a lengthy delay caused by the VAR malfunction. Following discussions, the referee and both team captains decided to proceed with the first leg without the Video Assistant Referee system, as both teams reached an agreement.
