VAR in Leagues Cup 2023: how does it work? The rules explained

1. A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to:

a. Goal/no goal

b. Penalty/no penalty

c. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)

d. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)

2. The referee must always make a decision, i.e. the referee is not permitted to give ‘no decision’ and then use the VAR to make the decision; a decision to allow play to continue after an alleged offence can be reviewed.

3. The original decision given by the referee will not be changed unless the video review clearly shows that the decision was a ‘clear and obvious error’.

4. Only the referee can initiate a ‘review’; the VAR (and other match officials) can only recommend a ‘review’ to the referee.

5. The final decision is always taken by the referee, either based on information from the VAR or after the referee has undertaken an ‘on-field review’ (OFR).

6. There is no time limit for the review process as accuracy is more important than speed.

7. The players and team officials must not surround the referee or attempt to influence if a decision is reviewed, the review process or the final decision.

8. The referee must remain ‘visible’ during the review process to ensure transparency.

9. If play continues after an incident which is then reviewed, any disciplinary action taken/required during the post-incident period is not cancelled, even if the original decision is changed (except a caution/sending-off for stopping or interfering with a promising attack or DOGSO (denying a goal or obvious goalscoring opportunity).

10. If play has stopped and been restarted, the referee may not undertake a ‘review’ except for a case of mistaken identity or for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive action(s).

11. The period of play before and after an incident that can be reviewed is determined by the Laws of the Game and VAR protocol.

12. As the VAR will automatically ‘check’ every situation/decision, there is no need for coaches or players to request a ‘review’.

Goal/no goal

• attacking team offence in the build-up to or scoring of the goal (handball, foul, offside etc.)
• ball out of play prior to the goal
• goal/no goal decisions
• offence by goalkeeper and/or kicker at the taking of a penalty kick or encroachment by an attacker or defender who becomesdirectly involved in play if the penalty kick rebounds from the goalpost, crossbar or goalkeeper

Penalty kick/no penalty kick

• attacking team offence in the build-up to the penalty incident (handball, foul, offside etc.)
• ball out of play prior to the incident
• location of offence (inside or outside the penalty area)
• penalty kick incorrectly awarded
• penalty kick offence not penalise

Direct red cards (not second yellow card/caution)

• denying a goal or obviously goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO; especially position of offence and positions of other players)
• serious foul play (or reckless challenge)
• violent conduct, biting or spitting at another person
• using offensive, insulting or abusive action(s)

Mistaken identity (red or yellow card)

If the referee penalises an offence and then gives the wrong player from the offending (penalised) team a yellow or red card, the identity of the offender can be reviewed; the actual offence itself cannot be reviewed unless it relates to a goal, penalty incident or direct red card.