UEFA brings in VAR for remainder of Qatar 2022 qualifiers
August 5 – UEFA is bringing in video assistant referees (VAR) for all remaining European Qualifier matches for the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Tag: VAR
Conmebol proposes VAR time-outs and team-led decision challenges to rules body
July 29 –Conmebol wants to introduce time-outs for VAR checks in a bid to protect playing time as well as allow teams to request reviews of refereeing decisions.
Spot on: UEFA referees chief Rosetti says VAR is getting it right
June 28 – The increase in the number of penalties awarded at Euro 2020 has won approval from UEFA’s referees chief who says it shows VAR is working correctly.
UEFA focuses on goals and fast forwards revamped accidental handball law for Euros
June 7 – In a move that will surely be applauded by all advocates of fair play, accidental handball by a forward in the build-up to a goal will not be penalised at Euro 2020.
Infantino backs VAR-forced rethink of offside rule in favour of attack
May 24 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has personally backed overhauling the offside rule by doing away with hairsbreadth decisions that have caused so much anguish among players and fans alike.
FIFA is currently trialling a new rule in China and the United States that would give the advantage to strikers and stop what Infantino called being offside “by a nose” because of controversial VAR calls.
“The offside rule is definitely one of the laws we need to look at,” said Infantino.
Wenger says automated VAR offsides could be in place by Qatar 2022
April 12 – Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development since 2019, says the game would be considerably improved if marginal offside calls are decided automatically and hopes it will happen in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, using Artificial Intelligence to make instant decisions.
Portuguese fury as officials rule out clear Ronaldo goal
March 29 – Where was VAR when it was most needed? Portuguese football, and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo, are still seething at an appalling referring decision that cost them a winning goal in their recent World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
No return: Infantino defends VAR saying people, not tech, are the problem
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has leapt to the defence of VAR amid the chaos and confusion over marginal offside decisions and penalised accidental handballs that many feel are ruining the game as a spectacle.
FIFA turns to tech firms to improve VAR
November 20 – FIFA are taking steps to ensure marginal offside calls are determined by automated technology rather than the controversial VAR system of dotted lines and a second pair of eyes.
VAR idiocy over Bamford goal points to a rule that is officially out of control
November 9 – VAR intervention on offside reached a new level of absurdity at the weekend when Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford had a goal ruled out.
Pickford wipes out Van Dijk’s season as Liverpool protest VAR failures
October 19 – English champions Liverpool have been a dealt a massive blow after it was confirmed that central defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk will endure a long layoff after suffering a serious cruciate injury in Saturday’s hotly contested Merseyside derby draw against league leaders Everton.
Wenger suggests slate of rule changes to improve up the game
October 9 – With the rules of football under more scrutiny than ever – offside, handball, VAR etc – FIFA’s recently appointed Head of Global Development, Arsene Wenger, has come up with some forward-looking ideas he believes will improve the game.
News analysis: A right hand balls-up. Game changing decisions spark calls for rule revision
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – It’s got to go. It’s killing the game. It’s an absolute joke. We’ve lost the plot.
VAR gets its own performance review as Riley opens formal Premier League discussion on use
July 24 – English football’s refereeing boss Mike Riley (pictured) was presenting his eagerly awaited season review of the video assistant referee system today at a Premier League shareholders’ meeting.
FIFA referees boss steps in to bring order to VAR chaos
July 10 – With controversy still raging over the interpretation of VAR, even with matches played behind closed doors, FIFA is taking over the responsibility for the system from the game’s lawmakers.