The video assistant referee (VAR) has been a source of weekly debate, not just in the Premier League, but also in the Champions League and FA Cup. But how are these decisions reached, and is their accuracy guaranteed?
During this FIFA World Cup, we’ll examine significant incidents to clarify how the VAR protocol operates alongside the Laws of the Game.
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. His extensive experience at the elite level includes working in the VAR system within the Premier League, providing valuable insights into the processes, reasoning, and protocols followed on matchdays.
Referee: Danny Makkelie
VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande
Time: 53rd minute
Incident: After initially handing a yellow card to USMNT defender Tim Ream, the referee reviewed the play and instead issued the card to Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón.
After a VAR check for mistaken identity, Miguel Almirón is shown a yellow card 🟨 pic.twitter.com/XeD17F7hnV
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026
What occurred: Ream, the U.S. captain, was initially cautioned for a seemingly careless challenge on Paraguayan striker Almirón. However, after reviewing the incident through VAR, it was evident that Ream did not make any contact, leading to the rescinding of his yellow card, with Almirón being cautioned for simulation instead.
VAR review: FIFA’s recent regulations permit VAR to intervene if a yellow or red card is unjustly issued to a player for an offense committed by someone else on either team.
Conclusion: When a player clearly misleads the referee, resulting in an unjust yellow card for another player, this represents a positive evolution in the rules. The referee’s initial decision to caution Ream was logical in real time, but Almirón’s act of simulation to earn a free kick warranted his yellow card. This situation illustrates the effective application of the new regulations and serves to deter players from diving.