VAR does not have a general licence to re-referee a football match. Its job is narrower: it helps the referee correct a major mistake in a defined, match-changing situation. That is why an incident may remain untouched. The key questions are not simply “Was the decision debatable?” but “Is this decision reviewable?” and “Does the footage show a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident?”
Under the IFAB VAR protocol, the referee remains the final decision-maker. The video assistant can check footage and recommend a review, but cannot independently overturn the call.
The threshold: clear and obvious error
For subjective decisions, the original call is normally changed only when the replay clearly shows that it was wrong. Another referee might judge the challenge differently, but that does not automatically make the first decision clearly wrong. The protocol is designed to correct major mistakes, not replace every close judgement with the VAR’s preferred interpretation.
A serious missed incident is an important event within a reviewable category that the on-field officials did not see, such as violent conduct away from the ball. In either case, the incident must fall within the permitted scope of the VAR protocol.
Decisions VAR is allowed to review
Goal or no-goal incidents
VAR checks every goal for possible offences connected to the scoring phase. A referee overturned decision may follow if footage shows offside, attacking handball, an attacking foul, the ball leaving the field before the goal, or another relevant infringement in the build-up. It can also correct whether the ball fully crossed the goal line.
The review does not extend indefinitely backwards. Officials identify the attacking phase that led to the goal. An incident from much earlier, after possession has changed or the attack has reset, will not usually cancel the goal. Readers seeking more detail may also find VAR offside rules useful.
Penalty or no-penalty decisions
VAR may intervene when a penalty has been wrongly awarded or a clear penalty offence has been missed. It can examine whether a foul occurred, whether it was inside or outside the penalty area, whether the attacker offended first, and whether the ball was out of play.
Imagine a defender makes slight shoulder contact and the referee awards a penalty. If the replay supports more than one reasonable interpretation, the call may stand. If footage clearly shows no contact and the attacker simulated being fouled, VAR can recommend an on-field review. The referee may then cancel the penalty and caution the attacker.
Red-card incidents
VAR can review potential sending-off offences, including serious foul play, violent conduct and denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. From the 2026/27 Laws of the Game, the scope also includes a clearly incorrect second yellow card that produces a red card. This protects a player from being wrongly dismissed.
That does not make every yellow-card decision reviewable. A routine caution cannot normally be upgraded, cancelled or added simply because replay suggests a different judgement. A missed offence that might have deserved a second yellow is also different from a clearly wrong second caution that the referee actually showed. This distinction matters in debates about red card rules in football.
Mistaken identity
If the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player, VAR can identify who committed the offence. This is not a review of whether the card was harsh or lenient; it ensures the disciplinary action is applied to the correct player.
Clearly incorrect corner kicks in participating competitions
The 2026/27 protocol gives competitions the option to permit VAR assistance when a corner kick has clearly been awarded incorrectly. The correction must be immediate and not delay the restart. Because this is optional, supporters should not assume every league or tournament uses it. Corner and goal-kick disputes are not automatically reviewed everywhere.
How the referee changes a decision
The referee and assistants must make an initial decision without relying on VAR. Allowing play to continue also counts as a decision. The VAR checks relevant footage in the background, and most checks end without a visible review because no qualifying error is found.
When evidence indicates a possible intervention, the VAR advises the referee. Factual matters, such as offside position or whether an offence occurred inside the penalty area, may be resolved through information from the video team. Subjective matters, such as the intensity of a tackle or a possible handball offence, will usually lead to an on-field review at the pitchside monitor. In both routes, the referee makes the final call.
A check is not the same as a review. Relevant incidents are checked, but a formal review occurs only when the intervention threshold may have been met. Our guide to how VAR works explains this background communication in more detail.
Calls VAR normally cannot overturn
VAR generally cannot step in for an ordinary midfield free kick, a standard throw-in, a debatable foul unrelated to a goal or penalty, or a standalone yellow card. It is not a challenge system: players and coaches cannot demand a review, and drawing the television-screen signal does not create a right to one.
Timing matters. Once play has stopped and restarted, a review is generally no longer allowed. Narrow exceptions include mistaken identity and certain potential sending-off offences such as violent conduct, spitting, biting, or extremely offensive or abusive actions.
Why close decisions often remain unchanged
“VAR checked it” does not prove the officials considered the original call perfect. The video team may simply decide that footage does not clearly disprove the referee’s judgement. In a subjective incident, evidence supporting two plausible readings usually favours leaving the original decision in place.
This also explains why similar-looking incidents can produce different outcomes. Camera angles, the original call, the phase of play and optional competition rules can matter. The official test is not whether another decision was possible, but whether intervention is permitted and the error is sufficiently clear.
Frequently asked questions
Can VAR overturn any referee decision?
No. VAR is restricted to goals, penalties, red-card situations, mistaken identity and, where adopted by the competition, clearly incorrect corner kicks that can be corrected immediately.
Does the referee have to accept the VAR’s advice?
No. The VAR can recommend a review or provide factual information, but the referee makes the final decision. After viewing the monitor, the referee may change the call or keep it.
Can VAR review a yellow card?
A normal standalone yellow card is not generally reviewable. However, the current protocol permits intervention when a clearly incorrect second yellow results in a red card. VAR cannot step in merely because a missed offence might have deserved a second caution.
Can a team request a VAR review?
No. VAR automatically checks relevant match-changing incidents. Coaches, captains and players cannot formally challenge a decision or force the referee to use the pitchside monitor.
The rule that settles most VAR debates
VAR can overturn a referee’s decision only when the incident is within its authorised scope and the footage meets the required threshold. Factual errors may produce a direct correction. For subjective calls, the mistake must normally be clear and obvious. Even then, the referee—not the person in the video room—owns the final decision.