VAR: STUFF YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW!
HERE'S THE NITTY GRITTY...
The 2019/20 Premier League season was the first to feature the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after the clubs voted unanimously in November 2018 to introduce the system. Yeah, and some of them are regretting it now!
All 380 Premier League fixtures in a season have a VAR who is constantly monitoring the match but will be used only for "clear and obvious errors" or "serious missed incidents" in four match-changing situations:
Goals
Penalty decisions
Direct red card incidents
Mistaken identity
The final decision will always be taken by the on-field referee.
Here are some of the most common questions which people ask about VAR…
How does it work?
For subjective decisions, either the referee informs the VAR that a decision should be reviewed or the VAR identifies a “clear and obvious error” in one of the four match-changing situations and communicates this to the referee.
At the next stoppage of the match, the referee will hold up the restart of play until a decision has been reached.
The referee explains their decision to the VAR, and what they have seen from the pitch.
The VAR reviews the broadcast footage, using as many angles as possible. Real-time replays will be used initially to check for intensity. Slow-motion replays will be used to identify the point of contact.
If the VAR’s view does not agree with what the referee believes they have seen then they can recommend an overturn.
What incidents does the VAR check?
VAR will be used only for “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents” in four match-changing situations: goals; penalty decisions; direct red-card incidents; and mistaken identity.
What incidents does the VAR not check?
The VAR will not review incidents outside of the four match-changing situations: goals; penalty decisions; direct red-card incidents; and mistaken identity.
It will not review, for example, fouls or handballs in the middle of the pitch when there is no goal or penalty decision.
It will not review the decision to award a corner instead of a goal-kick, even if the corner produces a goal.
This is because the VAR will only check the attacking possession phase that led to the goal, and the starting point is limited to the immediate phase, in this instance the corner being taken.
Who asks for VAR to be used during a match?
Only the referee, who can inform the VAR that a decision should be reviewed.
Can players ask for a decision to be checked by VAR?
No. In fact, yellow cards will be issued to players or club staff who aggressively make the VAR signal to a match official… Well, that’s the official line, but how many players have we seen asking for VAR to take a look? And then they don’t like the flippin’ decision!
What qualifies as a “clear and obvious error”? In testing, there was no unanimity. Different VARs came up with different outcomes.
But the VAR should not be asking, "Do I think it's right or wrong?" The question is, "Is what the match officials have done a clear and obvious error?"
There is a very high bar for that intervention.
From what point does the VAR check incidents leading to a penalty or goal?
The VAR will only check the attacking possession phase that led to the penalty or goal.
The starting point will be limited to the immediate phase. The VAR may not go back to when the attacking team gained possession.
The VAR will consider the ability of the opposing defence to reset, and the momentum of the attack.
What is the Referee Review Area (RRA)?
This is a screen by the side of the pitch at each stadium where the referee can view incidents if they choose.
If the VAR's advice falls within the referee’s range of expectation, he or she can make a final decision based on that information, without using the RRA.
But where the information received from the VAR falls outside of the referee’s expectation range, or where there is a serious missed incident, the referee can use the RRA to assist with a final decision.
At the Premier League's Annual General Meeting ahead of the 2020/21 season, Shareholders agreed to the increased use of the RRA, which will be used for subjective decisions in three key areas: goals; red cards; and penalty kicks.
Will VAR review incidents where a yellow card is shown?
A direct red-card incident is one of the four match-changing situations where the VAR may intervene for “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents”.
If the VAR feels the referee has made a clear and obvious error in only cautioning a player, rather than sending him off, they can advise the referee to watch the incident again in the Referee Review Area.
Can VAR overrule a referee?
No. The final decision is always taken by the on-field referee. The VAR only provides advice.
How do fans in the stadiums know what is happening?
The referee will point to their ear to indicate a review is in place, and gesture with a "TV signal" when the process is completed, before communicating the final decision.
Premier League graphics will be displayed on big screens and/or information relayed over the PA system.
TV viewers will also see a series of graphics as well as replays of the incident.
Watch out for our next instalment about VAR!
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Thanks to the FA for providing information. All information correct as of March 1/2023.
Written by Graham Hey