Videoassistent

Videoassistent, commonly known as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), is a officiating tool used in professional football to assist the on-field referee in making key decisions. The VAR team reviews video footage to determine whether a decision should be reviewed in four categories: goals and whether they should stand; penalty decisions; direct red-card incidents; and cases of mistaken identity. The on-field referee remains the authority on the field and can overrule or confirm decisions based on the VAR review. In most competitions, a decision is confirmed, overturned, or sent back for further on-field consideration after consultation with the VAR team. The use of VAR aims to reduce clear and obvious errors while preserving the flow of play as much as possible.

Implementation and governance: VAR was developed under the umbrella of FIFA and IFAB guidelines and first deployed at a major tournament during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Since then it has been adopted by many national leagues and continental competitions. The VAR operation typically involves a dedicated team of officials who monitor multiple camera feeds, communicate with the on-field referee via headsets, and advise on potential overturns. Some competitions also employ additional technologies, such as semi-automated offside lines. The system has generated debate about accuracy, consistency, and impact on game tempo, leading ongoing efforts to standardize protocols and minimize disruption while increasing fairness.