What is VAR in football?
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is the system that reviews incidents on video to help the main referee make decisions in professional matches. It was officially introduced in 2018 and now operates in every major competition, including the World Cup.
Which incidents does VAR review?
Only four types of decisive situations:
- Goals (any prior foul, offside or handball).
- Penalties (awarded or missed).
- Direct red cards (not second yellows).
- Mistaken identity (so the referee books or sends off the right player).
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Ver App GratisHow the process works
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | The VAR reviews every relevant incident in real time. |
| 2 | If they spot a clear and obvious error, they tell the on-field referee. |
| 3 | The referee can review the monitor pitchside (OFR) or accept VAR's call without watching. |
| 4 | The referee makes the final decision. |
VAR doesn't make decisions on its own: it only advises. The referee on the field still owns the call.
The "clear and obvious error" principle
VAR isn't there to re-referee the match, only to fix clear and obvious errors. If a call is interpretable (a brushing contact, a borderline handball), the on-field referee's decision stands.
Criticism and debate
- Time lost: reviews can take several minutes.
- Offside lines: the "millimetre" rule has sparked controversy. FIFA introduced semi-automated offside to speed things up.
- Inconsistency: criteria vary between leagues and referees.
FAQ
Can VAR review any incident? No. Only goals, penalties, direct reds and mistaken identity.
How many officials are on the VAR team? Usually 1 main VAR + 2 or 3 assistants (AVAR).
What is the OFR? On-Field Review: when the on-field referee watches the incident on a pitchside monitor.
Will VAR be at the 2026 World Cup? Yes, including the semi-automated offside system.
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