The four men on a soccer field are the officials. They are responsible for making sure that the laws of the game are being followed. From one of them the side offsides are decided based on the other two linesman. The other referee’s main job is to ensure that fouls occur in the right areas.
The new VAR process in the soccer world will work by having a central location to monitor the soccer games with multiple camera angles. The main referee can communicate with the VAR team replay operator to review some questionable plays and make a change.
The new system was implemented to provide a more accurate decision of the best call during a play by using video technology that can allow for a greater understanding of the play and how it should be reviewed.
Early History of the VAR System in Soccer
The first test was held during the Euro Qualifiers match between Portugal and Greece in June 2016. The use of VAR was authorized by the head referee for the match. The technology was used in the first game of the group stage of the tournament between Germany and Northern Ireland on 15 June. The technology was used in the first half of the game.
VAR has been used during FIFA tournaments. It has been used in a Major League Soccer game in 2016, when there were two successful calls made during the replay review. It has been used during the FIFA Club World Cup as another tool for referees to use during the match.
The first VAR implementation was by La Liga for their La Liga 2018/19 season. At the end of the Premier League 2018/19 season, the Premier League added VAR into the Laws of the Game. Other leagues soon followed. UEFA eventually added VAR in its laws in June 2019.
Why is VAR in Soccer (Association Football)?
Technology on the pitch has become more important, it is a lot easier to watch the game at home and have a better view of which calls are being made. Having access to such replay technology has allowed people to correct mistakes, especially on the pitch.
VAR should be a tool to give us the referee’s opinions of the game. This is why VAR can be used to determine if a penalty should be awarded. It can also help us make decisions about a player being offside or the ball being over the line.
“One of VAR’s most complicated roles is to help officials make the right call whether a foul was committed during a match. The technology can be used to help get the right result whether that’s offside, goals, or mistaken free kicks.”
-Tommy Allen reports on VAR, and its complicated role for officiating on the field, in the video above.
What Does the Video Assistant Referee Review?
What Does VAR not Check During a Game?
How Does the Referee Communicate with the VAR Team?
The league has also announced that any player who chooses to review and loses a challenge will be given a 15 yard penalty upon review.
Which, I believe, means that even if the VAR rules otherwise, the call stands.
Is there a Time Limit in VAR?
One of the major criticisms of this system is that referees do not have time to take a break or think about a call. But, when someone from the VAR room is looking at a replay, it is easy to see if the call is correct or not. Plus, since this video can be seen again at any time, the referee can correct the call if needed. Additionally, the VARs are able to communicate with the referee in order to explain the call by holding up the appropriate card for the referee’s confirmation.
Where is VAR Located?
The video operating theater can either be in the soccer stadium or somewhere else nearby.
Now that I’ve set up the context, I can apply what I’ve learned from the book and the video.
Can Soccer Players Request VAR to Review a Play?
A yellow card will be given when a player requests a review from the VAR. The referee will follow the rules of the FIFA Laws of the Game and make the decision. If the review is successful then the card will count (if not the normal one is used).
Is VAR Part of the Laws of the Game?
VAR is a regulation that was introduced in 2018 by FIFA and the International Football Association Board.
How Does the Referee Signal a VAR Check?
A referee will signal a VAR review by placing their hand to the side of their face and then make an imaginary rectangle box with their hands. However, before making a VAR review decision, a referee must make an initial decision during a game. A referee can’t give a no-decision on a call during a soccer game and then ask for VAR.
What Does the VAR Team Look Like Behind the Scenes?
In an NFL game, there is an off-field judge, linesman, and umpire and other game officials monitoring plays. The off-field judge also reviews the first down or field goal after the official makes the initial down or field goal decision.
A few replay officials also review the play.
In addition to the video review, officials are able to use telephones and ear pieces so they can converse to their colleagues. This helps the officials with their interpretations. This type of communication is what fans see every week.
Referee Review Area
Video refereeing is designed so that the VAR can watch the video replay along with the referee in order to make a more informed decision. This allows the referee to get the information they need in a timely fashion.
Can Fans See the Video Replay of VAR at a Game?
During a VAR review, the referee will have a screen on the side showing the video of the potential action. Fans will also see a live picture of what is happening on the field, including a view of the referee’s view. The VAR screen also shows the view from the control room.
If the referee finds that one team is guilty of a foul, the other team will be allowed to re-play the ball out of bounds in the correct spot of the foul.
Are There any Drawbacks with VAR?
However, VAR will add another layer to deciding a game. The referee needs to have a good view of the whole field, and VAR will give him or her a better view of the play. That means less time waiting for the referee to make his or her call.
The call is one of the key areas in the game where referees can make a difference or not. After the match, the media will show replays from the area where a VAR decision was made. The way the VAR is implemented is very close to the original version, but sometimes there is one difference that makes the outcome completely different.
I don’t like the idea of using human officials. We’d have to train them, and they could make mistakes. That would take away the element of random play and would take away the human element. It would also be impractical because of the amount of officiating needed.
Conclusion: What is VAR in Soccer?
We’re all pretty happy with how VAR worked in England. As you will know, the VAR system has been in place for just over a year in the Premier League and there were no major issues with the introduction of technology. In the end, it just sped up the process and brought the game back to people.
However, while the system does have a lot of benefits, there are critics who don’t like the technology because it removes the human error element during the game. Also, for players, the pause in action can mentally wear them down, which can cause them to not be as sharp at resuming the game.
