What is VAR?
The Video Assistant Referee system, known as VAR, is football's first use of video technology to reach more correct decisions. The system was trialled in the FA and Carabao Cups last season, as well as the German and Italian leagues.
Is it being used at the World Cup?
Yes, following the unanimous approval of the International Football Association Board in Zurich in March, who voted to introduce the system permanently. This will be the first World Cup using video replays, although goal line technology was successfully employed in Brazil four years ago.
When can VAR be used?
VAR only intervenes in the course of a match when the officials have made a 'clear and obvious error' in one of four key areas: goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity. The system is restricted to these areas in order to minimise disruption to the flow of the game.
There has been confusion about the definition of a 'clear and obvious' mistake, particularly then it comes to reviewing goals with a tight offside decision involved. Even if a player is marginally offside, VAR will deem that a clear and obvious error because offside decisions are categoric - a player is either offside of they are not.
Where are the video referees?
They watch the match in a remote location, with access to dozen of camera angles and are miked up to the on-pitch officials so they can alert them to any mistakes.
How will it work in practice?
There are three ways VAR can play out during the game:
-
The video referee speaks to the on-field referee through an earpiece, who will put his hand up to pause play and inform the players a decision is being reviewed. If satisfied there is no error, he will signal to for play to re-start.
-
VAR decides. In this instance the referee will draw a rectangle with his arms to replicate a TV a screen. The video referee will review the incident and the referee will make the same signal if he wishes to change his decision.
-
An 'on-field review', as we saw when Italy were rewarded a penalty at Wembley earlier this year. With more subjective decisions, the video referee will instruct the referee to watch a replay on a pitchside screen. He will make the 'TV signal' before communicating his final decision.
The referee must always make a decision - he cannot let play unfold and wait for VAR. He can only go back to the start of the attacking phase that provoked the incident, and must wait until the ball is in a neutral zone to stop play.
Why have Fifa decided to use it?
The sport's governing bodies want to improve decision making and accuracy.
"I would say to the fans, players and coaches that it will have an impact, a positive impact," said Fifa president Infantino. "That is what the results of the study show.
"From almost 1,000 live matches that were part of the experiment, the level of the accuracy increased from 93% to 99%. It's almost perfect."
"We have looked into all the details and benefits it can bring," Infantino added.
"Of course, we need to speed up the reviews and the communication to the referees that are applying it but also for the general public."
What are some of the criticisms?
There have been several controversies and teething problems during VAR's trial stages, and the system has many opponents. Their criticisms have included:
- The time it takes for decisions to be reached disrupts the flow of the match. Some games with VAR in use have produced five or six minutes of first-half stoppage time.
- The spontaneous joy of goal celebrations being lost due to the possibility of a review, detrimental to the atmosphere in stadiums.
- World Cup referees lacking experience of the technology.