The video assistant referee (VAR) sparks debate weekly in the Premier League. But how are these decisions reached, and how accurate are they?
This season, we’ll be examining significant incidents to clarify the decision-making process, looking at both the VAR protocol and the laws governing the game.
All screenshot credits: NBC
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons in the top tier, officiating in both the Premier League and Championship. With substantial experience at this elite level, he has worked within the VAR framework in the Premier League, providing unique insights into the protocols, processes, and rationales employed on match day.
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Darren England
Incident: Possible red card
Time: 45+2 minutes
What happened: Brighton’s Diego Gómez made a late, high challenge on Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, which Referee Craig Pawson judged to be reckless, resulting in a yellow card for Gómez.
VAR decision: The VAR confirmed the yellow card issued to Gómez, determining that the challenge did not constitute excessive force or serious foul play.
VAR review: Pawson characterized Gómez’s challenge as high and reckless, noting some contact, but concluded it lacked sufficient force to classify it as serious foul play. The VAR focused on the referee’s description, only intervening if replays indicated a different assessment.
Such incidents are evaluated against specific legal phrasing:
– A disregard for the safety of an opponent – yellow card
– Endangering the safety of an opponent – red card
The VAR found Pawson’s decision to be correct, affirming that Gómez displayed a disregard for safety rather than intent to cause danger. Thus, the VAR did not intervene.
However, Gómez was fortunate; the distinction is slim in these scenarios. More direct contact to Wirtz’s chest, alongside Gómez’s straight-legged movement, could have easily warranted a red card upon VAR review.
Referee: Rob Jones
VAR: John Brooks
Incident: Possible red card
Time: 59 minutes
What happened: Wolves midfielder Hwang Hee-Chan overran the ball in midfield and launched into a challenge against Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. Referee Jones decided the challenge was reckless but not serious foul play, issuing a yellow card to Hwang.
VAR decision: The yellow card issued by the referee was upheld by VAR, which assessed Hwang as having pulled out of the challenge, with the contact deemed merely reckless.
VAR review: Brooks would have found this challenge alarming at first glance, immediately contemplating a possible red card. However, he and Jones deliberated thoroughly. For Brooks to request an on-field review, he required clear evidence of an error—a threshold not met in this case.
Though Hwang had overrun the ball and was somewhat out of control, the contact occurred on the top of Lewis-Skelly’s foot, mitigated by Hwang retracting his foot, decreasing the impact.
These factors led to the VAR’s agreement with the on-field yellow card decision.
Verdict: The VAR’s decision not to intervene here was correct, reflecting a careful consideration of the available information. Although the initial appearance of the challenge seemed poor, the VAR’s role is to analyze the facts devoid of emotion.
Hwang is fortunate that the level of contact was minimal, which ultimately saved him from further sanctions. In hindsight, Referee Jones might critique his positioning during the incident; pivoting on the spot obscured his view of the tackle, necessitating reliance on his assistants for a clearer assessment.