Football (soccer) referees use **VAR** (Video Assistant Referee) as a tool to help make more accurate decisions during matches. VAR was introduced to assist referees in situations where there is clear and obvious error or serious missed incidents that could affect the outcome of the game.
### Key Points of VAR:
1. **Purpose**:
VAR is used to assist referees in four key areas:
- **Goals**: To check for offside, fouls, or handball leading up to a goal.
- **Penalties**: To review penalty decisions (whether a foul occurred inside the penalty area or not).
- **Red Cards**: To confirm or overturn decisions involving direct red cards or serious foul play.
- **Mistaken Identity**: If a referee penalizes the wrong player for a foul or misconduct, VAR can be used to correct the mistake.
2. **How It Works**:
- The **on-field referee** makes an initial decision during the match.
- The **VAR team** (usually located in a central location with access to multiple camera angles) reviews the play in question.
- If they identify a clear and obvious error or serious missed incident, they communicate with the on-field referee.
- The referee may choose to **review the footage** on a pitchside monitor (or rely on VAR's recommendation), or they may trust the VAR's advice and change their decision without going to the monitor.
3. **Communication**:
- **Referee to VAR**: The on-field referee can ask the VAR team to check a specific incident, or the VAR team may initiate a review if they notice a potential mistake.
- **Decision**: After reviewing the evidence, the referee can either:
- Stick with the original decision (if no clear error is found).
- Change the decision based on the VAR's review (e.g., awarding a penalty or overturning a goal).
4. **The VAR Process**:
- **Check**: The VAR team looks at the footage and checks the specific scenario in question.
- **Review**: The on-field referee either consults the pitchside monitor or accepts VAR's recommendation without leaving the field.
- **Decision**: The final decision is made by the on-field referee, who then signals to the players and crowd.
5. **Limitations**:
- VAR can only be used to review certain types of decisions (goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity). It doesn't cover things like yellow cards or general fouls unless they lead to one of the reviewable scenarios.
- It’s not about re-refereeing the entire match but correcting clear and obvious mistakes.
6. **Impact on the Game**:
- VAR has had a significant impact on match outcomes, ensuring that important decisions (like goals and penalties) are more accurate.
- However, it has also sparked debate, especially regarding subjective decisions (e.g., offside calls that are millimeters, or whether a foul is "clear and obvious").
### When Is VAR Used?
- **Goal Review**: If a goal is scored and the referee is uncertain whether it should count (e.g., due to offside or handball), VAR will review it.
- **Penalty Kick**: If the referee awards a penalty, VAR may review it to ensure it was the correct decision, or if the referee missed a penalty incident.
- **Red Card**: If the referee gives a yellow card but VAR determines a red card should have been issued for violent conduct, the referee may change their decision.
- **Mistaken Identity**: If a referee penalizes the wrong player (for a foul or misconduct), VAR can help identify the correct player.
### Criticisms of VAR:
- **Delays**: Sometimes, the reviews take a long time, causing interruptions and frustrating players and fans.
- **Subjectivity**: Some decisions, like offside calls, are controversial even with technology, as there is still room for interpretation.
- **Consistency**: VAR has been critiqued for inconsistency in how it’s applied across different leagues and competitions, leading to confusion.
Overall, VAR is a tool to improve fairness and accuracy in football, but it is not without its challenges in terms of implementation and perception.