VAR Explained: When the Video Assistant Referee Can Step In
The Video Assistant Referee, or VAR, was written into the Laws of the Game in 2018 and is now used in most top professional leagues. Its purpose is narrow: correct clear mistakes in the decisions that change matches most, with minimum interference.
The guiding principle
The official protocol is often summed up as "minimum interference, maximum benefit." VAR is not meant to re-referee the whole match. For most decisions it only intervenes when the on-field decision was a clear and obvious error or when the referee missed a serious incident completely. Factual matters, such as whether the ball crossed a line or a player was in an offside position, are checked precisely.
The four situations VAR can review
- Goals and whether an offence happened in the build-up, such as offside, handball or a foul by the attacking team.
- Penalty decisions: a penalty given that should not have been, or one missed.
- Direct red cards, not second yellow cards.
- Mistaken identity, when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player.
Everything else, including corners, throw-ins, ordinary free kicks and yellow cards, is outside VAR's remit.
How a VAR check works
- Check. VAR silently checks every goal, penalty situation and potential red card while play continues. Most checks are completed in seconds without the crowd noticing.
- Recommendation. If the VAR team sees a clear error, they tell the referee through the headset.
- Review. For factual decisions, like an offside position, the referee can accept the VAR information directly. For subjective decisions, like the severity of a tackle, the referee usually goes to the pitch-side monitor for an on-field review.
- Decision. The referee always makes the final call and signals it by drawing a rectangle shape (the TV screen signal) and then giving the new decision.
Who is in the VAR room?
The VAR is a qualified referee, supported by one or more assistant VARs and replay operators. They watch many camera angles, including slow motion and freeze-frame, from a central video operation room. Some competitions now explain big decisions to the stadium and TV audience, and a few let the referee announce the final decision over the public address system.
VAR and offside
Offside reviews are the most visible use of VAR. Assistant referees are instructed to delay raising the flag in close situations, so that a goal can be checked rather than wrongly stopped. Many competitions now use semi-automated offside technology: special cameras track points on each player's body and the ball has a sensor showing the exact moment it was kicked. The system alerts the VAR and generates a 3D animation for viewers. See our offside guide for the rule itself.
Goal-line technology is separate
Whether the whole ball crossed the goal line is decided by goal-line technology, which sends a signal to the referee's watch within a second. It existed before VAR and does not need a review.
Common myths
- "VAR should give every penalty it sees." No: if the on-field decision is reasonable, VAR leaves it, even if some viewers disagree.
- "VAR can rule on a second yellow." No: only direct red cards are reviewable.
- "VAR makes the decision." No: the referee on the pitch always has the final word.
How VAR shows up in the data
On EHScore's match pages, goals that are disallowed after a review disappear from the event list and the score returns to its previous value. Penalties awarded after a review appear like any other penalty. If you see a score change back, a VAR check is usually the reason.