Match officials guide
How VAR Decisions Work.
VAR checks selected match-changing incidents, but the referee remains responsible for the final decision.
VAR assists; the referee decides
The video assistant referee is a match official with access to broadcast footage. The on-field referee must still make an initial decision as if no video assistance existed. VAR can then recommend a review or provide factual information within the protocol.
The final decision belongs to the referee. That can be based on information from the video officials or on an on-field review at the pitch-side monitor.
The main reviewable categories
VAR is not a general tool for correcting every missed foul, throw-in or yellow card. Its core scope covers match-changing decisions and serious missed incidents.
Including attacking offences, offside and whether the ball was out in the relevant attacking phase.
Including the offence, its location and relevant attacking infringements.
Potential sending-off offences; an ordinary first yellow is not a standalone review category.
Correcting the player who was wrongly cautioned or sent off.
A check is not the same as a review
The video team automatically checks reviewable decisions and incidents. Most checks finish without the referee visiting the monitor; viewers may hear this called a silent check. A review begins when the available footage indicates a possible clear and obvious error or a serious incident that was missed.
What “clear and obvious” is doing
For subjective decisions, the protocol is not intended to replace one reasonable judgement with another merely because slow motion offers a different impression. Intervention is aimed at a clear and obvious error. Serious incidents that the officials did not see can also be brought to the referee’s attention.
Objective facts are handled differently. Position for offside, the point of contact, whether an offence occurred inside the penalty area and whether the ball left the field can often be established from the available images without asking the referee to reassess intensity or intent.
When the referee uses the monitor
An on-field review is appropriate for subjective judgements such as the severity of a challenge, possible handball or whether an offside player affected an opponent. The VAR selects useful angles, while the referee can request others and should use normal speed when judging the force or intensity of an action.
For a factual correction, the referee may accept information from the VAR without visiting the monitor. In both cases, the referee communicates the final decision.
Why some reviews take longer
A review may involve more than the final contact. For a goal or penalty, officials may have to locate the correct attacking phase, inspect a possible offside, determine whether the ball left play and then assess the main incident. Camera availability and the need to identify the right frame also affect the time.
The protocol sets no fixed maximum review time because accuracy takes priority. Time lost to the process is considered when the referee calculates added time.
What VAR cannot guarantee
Video does not remove every subjective judgement, nor can it create an angle that a camera did not capture. A match is generally not invalidated because the technology failed, a reviewable incident was handled incorrectly or the referee chose not to review.
Players and coaches do not receive a challenge system. Reviewable incidents are checked automatically, and only the referee can initiate the formal review.
The process in five steps
- The on-field officials make an initial decision.
- VAR automatically checks a reviewable incident.
- VAR reports a possible clear error or serious missed incident.
- The referee reviews footage or accepts factual information.
- The referee signals and communicates the final decision.
Sources and further reading
This guide follows the IFAB VAR protocol. VAR can be used only in authorised competitions that meet the implementation requirements.
IFAB Video Assistant Referee protocolRelated: How yellow and red cards work