Voodoo, Witchcraft and Video Assistance Referee (VAR) In African Football

Stories of voodoo, witchcraft, charms, amulets etc are very common in African football and VAR hasn't been able to verify that claim. There is no scientific justification for these claims but others believe in a world of superstition and the involvement in metaphysical powers.

 If someone holds a ring, hit another on the leg and it begins to swell. To make matters worse, no medical investigation can ascertain what actually happened.

Clubs often resort to using undesignated entry points to the stadium in an effort to avoid being "bewitched" by the opposition.

Even a stray bird perched on top of a goalpost before a game, a cat crossing the field can set the tongues of juju believers wagging.

In Africa, these claims and counter-claims of the use of juju are very common but are sometimes shrouded in secrecy.

Indeed, the talk of voodoo has been around as long as football has been played on the continent. Now that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been adopted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), at least the 'bewitched' referee who missed a penalty call, handball in the 18-yard box and offside can be brought back to the physical world to check and make the right decisions.

If players, coaches, administrators (active or otherwise) all claim/believe that voodoo/witchcraft helps teams to win football matches... Why has an African team never won the FIFA world Cup ?

Regardless of technology, the obvious fact still remains that controversy is part of football and not even VAR could stop that.

Header Image Credit: enca.com