What is VAR?

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is one step further than goal-line technology. It is the natural evolution of video technology in the game of football after the success of goal-line technology. VAR is a system of video technology that allows key decisions to be reconsider by reviewing them on a screen; either directly by the match referee or a group of professionals in a control room, who are connected with the main referee. Unlike goal-line technology, which is objective because the ball is either over the cross line or not, VAR is more subjective because is the referee to take the final decision at the end. VAR also looks at four crucial match-changing events:
– Goals and the build-up to the goal
– Penalty decisions
– Red cards
– Mistaken identity
The referee on the pitch can either ask for help from VAR or the VAR team can inform the referee if a clear error has been made. If the ref trusts the VAR team then he will change his initial decision, otherwise he will go to the touchline to watch a replay of the incident on a screed and then he will take the final decision.