UEFA limits VAR to errors after referee chiefs meeting

European football officials have reaffirmed that Video Assistant Referee technology should be used only for overturning blatantly incorrect decisions or addressing clear missed incidents, marking a significant push to curb lengthy reviews and return to the system's original purpose. The directive follows a meeting last week between referee chiefs from all 55 European national football associations, UEFA refereeing officials, and a representative from the International Football Association Board, the sport's global lawmaking body.

In a statement, UEFA said it was reiterated that VAR must only intervene in situations of clear and obvious error, meaning when an on-field decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident. Officials emphasized that VAR is not meant to re-referee the game but is an essential support tool, with the referee remaining at the center of all decision-making. The statement specifically criticized lengthy, microscopic reviews, noting they often indicate the original decision was not clearly and obviously incorrect and should therefore be limited.

The meeting also addressed recent confusion over the "mistaken identity" protocol,...