HFF: Three Referees Shifted to VAR Role – Katoikos Downgraded

The HFF (Hellenic Football Federation) Referee Committee, under Stefan Llanou, appears to be reassigning roles for some Super League referees. According to reports, Tzilos (Larissa) and Zabalas (Epirus) will be used more in VAR than as field referees.

This decision seems to be an attempt to include referees in the 'VAR specialists' list who will not be assigned to matches on the field. Koumbarakis (Cyclades) and Poulikidis (Drama), who are injured, are already considered 'specialists' for VAR.

Additionally, Katoikos (Athens) appears to be downgraded by the HFF. While he avoided relegation in the summer, he has not been assigned to important matches and is being used as an AVAR and fourth official.

It is worth noting that Zabalas, in the PAOK-AEL 2-0 match, took 2 minutes to review a phase for a possible handball, even though his decision was correct. Also, last year in a Cup match Panachaiki-Kifisia 1-0, a player was substituted but continued to play, with Zabalas as the referee.