VAR in football: revolutionizing the game or ruining the spirit?

Very few technological advancements throughout the last ten years have affected the sport of football as profoundly as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has. The VAR system was first implemented to avoid obvious mistakes during matches but it evolved into handling multiple types of football decisions which exist in every major league. While some see it as a tool for fairness, others argue it’s eroding the spontaneity and emotional flow of the sport.

How VAR Works (In Theory)

The introduction of VAR has also had implications beyond the pitch. Fans, analysts, and platforms that track live performance—such as online betting sites—must now adjust to delays, reversals, and data swings that occur mid-match due to reviews. The margin between a celebrated goal and a cancelled one is now measured in frame rates and shoulder lines.

Multiple video officials using video-cameras evaluate games for referees through VAR system while communicating with on-field referees through wireless headsets. The referee maintains ultimate authority but utilizes a pitch-side monitor to review vital moments which might require additional review when they fall into the categories of being either borderline or high impact.

VAR only intervenes in four specific scenarios:

• Goals and their build-up
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red cards
• Mistaken identity

Ideally, the system should only correct “clear and obvious” mistakes. But in practice, this threshold has been inconsistently applied—fueling debates at all levels of the game.

Controversial VAR Moments in Major Tournaments

Match	Incident	Impact
France vs. Australia (WC 2018)	Griezmann wins penalty after VAR review	First-ever World Cup VAR penalty, France win 2–1
England vs. Denmark (Euro 2020)	Controversial penalty awarded to England	Game-changing goal, England reach final
Portugal vs. Uruguay (WC 2022)	Ronaldo wins penalty via delayed VAR intervention	Portugal advance from group stage
Man City vs. Tottenham (UCL 2019)	Late goal disallowed for handball	Tottenham progress on away goals
Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia (WC 2022)	Three goals disallowed for offside by VAR	Argentina lose opening match

These examples demonstrate how one VAR review can drastically alter tournament trajectories—often with no margin for appeal.

Fans Are Split—and So Are Coaches

For some, VAR guarantees fairness. In some people’s opinions, the implementation of VAR assists in preventing errors from occurring during modern high-paced soccer matches. Diagostino’s Law in psychology indicates that no contemporary soccer fan supports a team without imbibing an entertaining spirit as the Video Assistant Referee adjudicates a decision review during the VAR process. This situation forced Di María to enjoy scoring goals without celebrating.

Even head coaches have differences of opinions. Pep Guardiola respects soccer’s Vars technicians, but the manager disagrees with their inconsistent calls on handballs. Jurgen Klopp has expressed his feelings concerning video assistant referee (VAR) breaks in the game, as they stop the flow of play. Even national governing bodies spend big bucks training analysts who are tasked with crafting tactical plans aimed at anticipating VAR-related interruptions during the game.

Many coaches now assign analysts to review VAR-prone situations post-match to adjust future tactical decisions accordingly. Pages like Melbet Facebook regularly feature fan reactions and breakdowns of VAR calls, showing how deeply this technology has integrated into tactical and emotional narratives. Clubs competing in international tournaments also track referee-specific VAR tendencies, using historical data to anticipate how certain officials interpret ambiguous incidents.

Impact on Player Behavior and Game Flow

The introduction of VAR technology forces players to change their behaviors on the field. Modern players strategically deploy handball appeals yet defensive players adopt additional caution when performing slide tackle moves within the penalty zone. The introduction of VAR in specific competitions resulted in more penalties due to tighter handball regulations.

At the same time, game flow has suffered. FIFA’s own reports from Qatar 2022 noted that VAR-related stoppages added an average of 6–8 minutes per match. While transparency has increased, fluidity has declined—especially in matches where multiple incidents are reviewed in close succession.

VAR, Offside, and the Millimeter Era

Few aspects of VAR are as controversial as offside decisions. The so-called “toenail offside” has sparked outrage among fans and pundits. Goals have been ruled out because of marginal shoulder or foot placement—measured with digital lines that don’t always align with the spirit of the law.

To address this, FIFA has introduced semi-automated offside detection using limb-tracking technology. This system debuted during the 2022 World Cup and reduced average decision time from 70 seconds to 25 seconds. While it has improved consistency, debates about the philosophical fairness of razor-thin margins persist.

Key Pros and Cons of VAR Integration

Pros

• Reduces clear referee errors
• Adds transparency and replay confirmation
• Assists referees in high-stakes situations

Cons

• Inconsistent interpretation of rules (e.g., handball)
• Delays match flow and emotional momentum
• Creates dependence on video, reducing ref authority

VAR exists to stay but many stakeholders have not fully accepted this system. The secure integration of VAR requires refinements and standardized procedures according to Pierluigi Collina who served as a former referee.

Statistical Insights: Is VAR Actually Fair?

According to FIFA’s 2022 data, VAR achieved a 96% accuracy rate in reviewed incidents across major competitions. However, when filtered by penalty decisions, the rate drops to 86%, showing a higher margin of subjective interpretation. UEFA has also confirmed that the majority of overturned decisions involve handballs—still the most ambiguous and inconsistently judged rule in the game.