Riedel Communications said Argentina’s Asociación del Fútbol Argentino has renewed and expanded its centralized VAR system for another five years.
Torneos operates the system, while Riedel powers it with SimplyLive technology. The setup first went live in 2021 as Latin America’s first centralized VAR deployment.
Riedel says the system continues to support refereeing across one of the world’s leading football federations. It is based at AFA’s replay center near Buenos Aires.
Riedel and AFA extend centralized VAR operations
The replay center includes five video operation rooms and eight OB vans. According to Riedel, the system can support up to five matches at the same time. It also handles 12 to 14 games each weekend and more than 400 matches each year.
Riedel says the centralized model lowers travel costs and improves working conditions for referees. It also helps AFA keep officiating standards more consistent across Argentina.
Riedel SimplyLive system in Argentina
The system uses 15 SimplyLive 16-channel HD servers. Riedel says the design supports both redundancy and scalability. During the renewal, the project added two more servers for larger matches.
According to the company, those larger matches can scale beyond 32 ingest channels for standard and high-frame-rate cameras. The system also includes SimplyLive RefBox and replay functions for broadcast workflows.
Riedel says each video operation room and server room has full redundancy. As a result, the system is designed to keep running during peak demand.
Riedel and AFA with NDI, SRT, and intercom
Riedel says the VAR system supports NDI and SRT delivery methods. Therefore, teams can connect it more easily to production workflows.
The company also says its intercom technology gives referees, replay operators, and production teams clear low-latency communication.
Ramiro Prado, Director of Technology at Torneos, said the SimplyLive system gives the operation flexibility, redundancy, and ease of use. He said referees value the touch-screen interface. He also said the system can handle top-tier games with super slow-motion cameras and extra feeds.
FIFA standards and referee training
Riedel says the project follows FIFA certification requirements. These include testing and yearly compliance checks to maintain operating standards.
The company also says referee training began with simulators using Mini8 units before full deployment. According to Riedel, this helped support a smoother transition.
Andrew Grant on the AFA renewal
Andrew Grant, Sales Manager Live Production, East, at Riedel Communications, said the renewal shows the trust placed in the company’s technology. He said Riedel and SimplyLive built a centralized VAR infrastructure that meets FIFA standards.
Grant also said the system brings practical benefits. He pointed to lower travel costs, better quality of life for referees, and more consistent officiating across Argentina.
