Referee chiefs limit VAR intervention to obvious errors
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 11:30 AM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
European refereeing officials emphasize the need for Video Assistant Referees (VAR) to only address glaring mistakes in officiating. Recent discussions among officials from 55 national associations and UEFA stressed that VAR should not re-referee matches but support on-field referees. This reaffirmation of VAR's purpose comes in response to concerns over lengthy reviews that indicate an original decision may not have been clearly incorrect. Additionally, officials supported measures to accelerate game play, including time limits on restarts. The implications for the interpretation of the mistaken identity rule were also clarified during these meetings.
- •VAR should only intervene for 'clear and obvious' errors.
- •Officials agreed on faster restart measures for games.
- •The mistaken identity rule clarification was discussed.
- •Breel Embolo was sent off under the new rules this summer.
- •All 55 national associations supported the new guidelines.
- 11:30 AMYahoo Sports — Only use VAR when error blatant - referee chiefs
- 11:30 AMBBC Sport — Only use VAR when error blatant - referee chiefs
- 11:03 AMYahoo Sports — UEFA restates VAR should only overturn ‘blatantly incorrect’ calls
"Officials across Europe have restated the need to use VAR only to change “blatantly incorrect” decisions and address clear missed incidents. UEFA convened referee chiefs from all 55 national associations last week along with representatives from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the game’s laws, in a bid to reach a consensus on the best approach to officiating.
"Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
"Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 11:30 AMOnly use VAR when error blatant - referee chiefs
Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
- BBC SportJul 28, 2026, 11:30 AMOnly use VAR when error blatant - referee chiefs
Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 11:03 AMUEFA restates VAR should only overturn ‘blatantly incorrect’ calls
Officials across Europe have restated the need to use VAR only to change “blatantly incorrect” decisions and address clear missed incidents. UEFA convened referee chiefs from all 55 national associations last week along with representatives from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the game’s laws, in a bid to reach a consensus on the best approach to officiating.
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