Video Assistant Referee

Video Assistant Referee
Carlos Figueroa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Video Assistant Referee
Established	2018 (FIFA World Cup)
Governing body	Fédération Internationale de Football Association
First use	2016 (trial)
Technology	Video review systems, goal-line technology, Hawk-Eye
Primary users	Referees, Assistant referees, Fourth official, Match commissioner

Video Assistant Referee is a match officiating system introduced to assist on-field referees by reviewing decisions with video replay, audio communication, and multiple camera angles. Developed and governed by Fédération Internationale de Football Association and International Football Association Board, the system was trialed in regional competitions and formally adopted at major tournaments to reduce clear errors in adjudication. Its implementation intersects with technologies and institutions such as Hawk-Eye, video review systems, and tournament organizers like UEFA, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF.

History

Initial experimentation with video review predates formal systems, with early trials involving goal-line technology at events like 2010 FIFA World Cup discussions and league trials in Major League Soccer and Bundesliga. The International Football Association Board approved a structured review process in 2016 after pilot schemes in competitions overseen by UEFA, The Football Association, Royal Spanish Football Federation, and Italian Football Federation. High-profile implementations included the 2018 FIFA World Cup and domestic adoption by Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. Influential matches and incidents—such as controversial decisions in tournaments featuring Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Sergio Ramos—accelerated policymaking by bodies including FIFA, UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, Asian Football Confederation, and national leagues.

Technology and Operation

The system integrates multi-angle broadcast feeds provided by companies like Hawk-Eye Innovations, Sportvision, and production teams used in events such as the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and Olympic Games. A centralized VAR hub communicates with on-field referees via wireless systems used in competitions like Premier League and Bundesliga. Operations follow protocols established by International Football Association Board and overseen by match commissioners from bodies such as FIFA and UEFA. Equipment includes multiple high-definition cameras deployed in stadia like Wembley Stadium, Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and Maracanã Stadium; replay operators collaborate with VAR officials to assess footage originating from broadcast partners like Sky Sports, NBC Sports, DAZN, and beIN Sports.

Reviewable Incidents and Protocol

Protocols specify reviewable categories: goals and potential infringements, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity, following guidelines from IFAB. Review procedures involve on-field review (OFR) at a pitch-side monitor used in competitions such as UEFA Europa League and on-screen confirmation in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. Match officials including the referee, assistant referees, and a VAR team comprising a lead VAR and assistant VARs consult laws published by IFAB. The framework aligns with disciplinary regulations applied by federations such as The Football Association, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIGC, and DFL.

Impact on Match Officials and Players

VAR changed workflows for referees coming from traditional systems used in leagues like Eredivisie, Scottish Professional Football League, and Major League Soccer, requiring additional training delivered by federations including FIFA and UEFA. Players and managers—counting figures like José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane, and Diego Simeone—have adapted tactics and appeals behavior in response to stoppages and reviews. The system influenced referee assessment and appointment procedures managed by organizations such as FIFA Referees Committee, UEFA Referees Committee, and national referee associations, and affected match tempo and spectator experience in arenas like Allianz Arena and Old Trafford.

Controversies and Criticisms

VAR has provoked debate among stakeholders including national associations, club owners, prominent players like Kylian Mbappé and Luis Suárez, pundits, and broadcasters such as BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Criticisms include perceived delays affecting game flow in fixtures like El Clásico and accusations of inconsistent application highlighted in continental competitions such as Copa Libertadores, UEFA Champions League, and international qualifiers. Disputes over interpretation of subjective incidents, transparency of communication between VAR and on-field referees, and technological limitations led to policy reviews by IFAB, interventions by FIFA President offices, and pilot changes in tournaments governed by CONMEBOL and UEFA.

Adoption and Implementation by Competitions

Adoption levels vary: full-time VAR operations are mandatory in tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup and top-tier leagues including Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga, while phased or experimental use has occurred in competitions like Copa América, AFC Asian Cup, and lower-tier domestic cups. Continental confederations—UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, and OFC—coordinate implementation with national federations like The Football Association, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIGC, and Brazilian Football Confederation. Technology providers partner with broadcasters and venue operators in stadia such as Signal Iduna Park and Anfield to deliver standardized systems under governance by IFAB and FIFA.

Category:Association football refereeing