However, VARs were first written into the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018. It actually consists of a team of people, who are in constant communication with the on-field referee. Together, they review certain decisions made by the referee during the game in order to avoid decision making glitches and faults.
It was back on November 18, 2018, when all the Premier League Clubs had agreed to bring in VAR technology into the league.
The day has finally arrived as the VAR has been finally introduced in the Premier League this season. The Video Assistant Referee will be used in as many as 380 games of Premier League this season. It is already in use in leagues around the world and has been as success in all of them by detecting the errors and screen reviewing the clips of the real time play. Big screens will enable both the on and off-field referees in handling the situations and decision making whenever a review is taken. It will also show multiple replays so that fans inside the stadium can clearly see what’s happening.
VARs will constantly check in the background – even when they seem inactive they will be active.
The clear and obvious rule states that- “factual decisions, such as offside or if a foul was committed inside or outside the penalty area, will not be subject to the clear and obvious error test“.
VAR Applications for Premier League
- Straight Red Cards:
Premier League VARs will be able to review missed red cards such as elbows that may spark controversies post or during the match. It would not include the second yellow card decision.
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- Penalty Decisions-
The Penalty decisions can also be reviewed to check if the foul was committed, the extent of it, and if it can draw a penalty decision. - Goals-
Goals will also be reviewed in the Premier League. This will also include fouls in the build-up to the goal, in addition to the obvious off-side decisions.
- Penalty Decisions-
- Identifying the Player in Case of Bookings:
It will also be used to identify if the wrong player has been handed a booking.
The final decision will always be taken by the on-field referee.
First Incident of VAR in Premier League
On Saturday, the first Premier League VAR intervention took place in the match between West Ham United and Manchester City. It was in the early second half when Manchester City were 2-0 up. In the 54th minute, Gabriel Jesus put the ball in the back of the net, however, on VAR check, the goals was ruled out for off-side. Raheem Sterling, who played the ball to Jesus was found to be off-side, as his arm was found to be ahead of the last man.
This sid spark controversy, as did the incident in the Leicester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers game when Dendoncker, who scored for Wolverhampton Wanderers, had his goal disallowed after his hand was found to be off-side. The team was seen questioning, asking if, “we should chop our hands off and play?”
VAR has a long way to go this season and it would be interesting to see how things pan out.
How did VAR come into Use?
VAR got its first call in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A total of 335 incidents were checked by the VAR over the course of the group stage. After its success in the World Cup, as it got the credit of assisting the 2018 edition’s status as the cleanest World Cup since 1986.
The same was used in the Women’s World Cup and though it was a success, it had its share of controversies when the Cameroon team were left furious after two of their goals were disallowed. England, too, were at the receiving end of the same as they saw their goals ruled-out in the semi-final in the final few minutes, which led to their exit.
