The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) continues to stir debate week after week, whether in the Premier League, Champions League, or FA Cup. But how are these decisions reached, and are they accurate?
This season, we will closely examine significant incidents to clarify the VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref), a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons in the top tier, has worked across both the Premier League and Championship. With substantial experience, he has been involved in the VAR process in the Premier League and provides valuable insight into the rationale and protocols applied on match days.
Referee: João Pinheiro
VAR: Marco Di Bello
Time: 29th minute
Incident: Possible second yellow card for PSG defender Nuno Mendes for a handball, denying Bayern a promising attack.
TWO huge handball appeals from Bayern Munich ✋
The referee dismisses both ❌ pic.twitter.com/FTyTUmnwQM
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 6, 2026
What transpired: Referee Pinheiro originally penalized Mendes for a deliberate handball that clearly interrupted a positive attack from Bayern Munich. This moment was pivotal, as Mendes was already on a yellow card for a foul in the fifth minute, and fans expected him to receive a second yellow here. However, there was a twist when the referee awarded a free kick in favor of PSG instead.
After consulting with the assistant referee, the decision reversed, penalizing Bayern defender Konrad Laimer for a handball in the buildup to Mendes’ offense.
VAR review: Although this situation was perplexing and controversial, it did not qualify for VAR review and thus could not intervene.
Verdict: This incident was indeed confusing. Expectations from a refereeing team at this level to deliver a clear decision were not met. Based on available footage, it’s hard to determine if Laimer’s action constituted a handball; however, we must trust the assistant referee, who had the best view of the play.
Time: 31st minute
Incident: Potential penalty for Bayern Munich due to a handball by PSG’s João Neves.
What occurred: As PSG’s Vitinha tried to clear the ball, it deflected off Neves’ arm from close range, leading to immediate penalty appeals, which the referee dismissed.
Why this was not a penalty: The Laws of the Game state that a handball is not penalized if a player’s arm or hand is struck by the ball after a teammate has played it, unless the ball directly enters the opponent’s goal or if the player unlawfully intervenes to prevent a goal.
Verdict: The referee’s decision to deny Bayern a penalty kick was correct.
Certain handball laws often lead to confusion, and this case is no exception. Nonetheless, the philosophy behind this rule is sound.
Simply put, handball infractions within the penalty area are penalized because they represent an unfair advantage by a defender who illegally blocks an opponent’s opportunity. However, when the ball hits a defender’s arm due to a teammate’s play, no advantage is gained or hindered; in fact, it can often prevent an unintentional clearance that increases defensive pressure. Therefore, penalizing such situations as handball makes little sense.
That said, players cannot intentionally handle the ball from a teammate in any context. A deliberate effort to block a clear goal-scoring opportunity will result in a penalty and possible red card. Additionally, players are prohibited from scoring off their hand or arm, regardless of who last played the ball.