# VAR implementation in Dutch football > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/var-implementation-in-dutch-football > Updated: 2026-09-26T16:30:35.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Netherlands is marking the ten-year anniversary of the first live implementation of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) in competitive football, which occurred during a KNVB Cup match in September 2016. Since its official incorporation into international rules in 2018, the technology has become standard in major European leagues and the Dutch Eredivisie. KNVB officials report that the system has helped reduce errors, noting a downward trend in incorrect decisions. Refereeing chief Raymond van Meenen has stated that while the system serves as a safety net, the primary referee remains the main decision-maker. Despite these reported improvements, the technology remains a subject of debate. Critics argue that the system has shifted from correcting ‘clear and obvious mistakes’ toward an obsessive search for perfection in subjective areas. While officials acknowledge VAR's effectiveness in resolving factual disputes, such as goal-line decisions, they maintain that football still relies heavily on human judgment. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: KNVB officials and critics debate VAR's impact after ten years A decade after its introduction, the use of VAR in Dutch football remains controversial, with the KNVB citing reduced errors while critics argue the technology over-analyzes subjective gameplay. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/knvb-officials-and-critics-debate-vars-impact-after-ten-years ### 2026-09-21: Netherlands marks ten years of VAR in professional football The Netherlands celebrates ten years of VAR in football, tracing its competitive debut to a 2016 Ajax vs. Willem II match. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-marks-ten-years-of-var-in-professional-football --- Cite as: VAR implementation in Dutch football. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/var-implementation-in-dutch-football