A young Ghanaian innovator, Alvin Orraca Tetteh, is working on an artificial intelligence-powered football technology tool called “VAR Auto”, aimed at helping referees make more accurate decisions during matches.

According to Alvin, the proposed technology is not intended to compete with the existing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system but rather to complement it by providing referees with additional technological assistance when making crucial decisions

His idea comes amid growing  controversial refereeing decisions in football, including incidents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

One such incident occurred during Ghana's 0–0 draw with England, when Ghana forward Prince Kwabena Adu was brought down inside England's penalty area following a challenge from defender Ezri Konsa.

Referee Said Martínez did not award a penalty, while VAR official Armando Villarreal did not recommend an on-field review. The decision generated significant debate, with Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz insisting that the Black Stars had been denied a clear penalty and questioning whether VAR was functioning properly.

The incident, according to Alvin, highlights the kind of situation where artificial intelligence could potentially provide an additional layer of assistance to match officials.

He envisions VAR Auto as a system capable of analysing incidents from multiple camera angles and rapidly identifying possible fouls, penalties, handballs, offsides, and other key events before presenting relevant information to the officiating team.

Alvin insists, however, that the technology would not replace referees or take control of football matches.

“VAR Auto is not a competitor to VAR. It is designed to complement VAR and assist referees in making the right decisions during football matches,” he said.

During an Enseigne Demo Day presentation, the young innovator believes the use of AI could help reduce human error while making the decision-making process faster and more consistent.

For Alvin, the controversial Ghana–England incident demonstrates why football must continue exploring innovative ways of supporting referees.

His ambition is to develop VAR Auto into a reliable AI-assisted officiating tool that works alongside existing VAR technology, with the ultimate goal of improving accuracy and fairness in football.