Only use VAR when a mistake is made – UEFA referees

Video assistant referees should only be used to change “obviously wrong” decisions and avoid missed problems, European referee officials have said.

Referees from Europe’s 55 national football associations met last week with UFF referee officials and a representative of the FIFA board to discuss changes to the laws of the game.

Attendees said the “lengthy, microscopic reviews” went beyond VAR’s original scope.

When there was VAR Added to the rules In 2018, IFAB, the governing body of football, stated that its “philosophy” was “minimum intervention – maximum benefit” with the aim of reducing clear and obvious errors or serious misses related to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.

At a recent UEFA meeting, refereeing chiefs agreed on the need to return to those original aims.

“According to protocol, VAR should only intervene when there is a ‘clear and obvious’ error, i.e. when a referee’s decision is clearly wrong or when the referee misses an obvious incident,” UEFA said in a statement.

“VAR is not intended to re-refer the game, it is a vital support for referees, who must remain at the center of all decision-making.

“Long, microscopic reviews are often signs that the decision on the field is clearly and obviously incorrect, so they should be limited.”

The authorities have accepted the recent explanation from IFAB about the correct interpretation “Mistaken Identity” Rule Ahead of this summer’s World Cup, he said the decision could be overturned if a player is red-carded or sent off for a foul by the opposing team.

Switzerland Brel Mbolo was the first player sent off. Following the controversial second yellow card to appear against Argentina due to the new rule. Leandro Parades got the opposition first yellow card before VAR intervened.

IFAB explained that VAR can only review warnings “to identify the player who committed the offense and not to review or change the offence”.

There was also “unity support” for legal changes designed to reduce unnecessary delays, including new rules on goal kick time limits, throw-ins and substitutions and on-field injuries and goalkeeper tactical rest periods.