Question Number: 35221

Mechanics 11/12/2023

Crebs Crem of Zagreb, Croatia asks...

Hello,

My question is about VAR review on violent conducts and serious foul plays.

As far as I know, VAR can advise a review for violent conducts and serious foul plays even after the game has stooped and restarted.

For example, player A11 commits a foul on player B2 and the foul seems to be violent conduct. The referees on the pitch misses the incident, the play goes on and the ball goes out for a throw in for team A. Team A quickly restarts the game and player A11 scores a goal. After that, VAR warns the referee about the misconducts and advises a review. After the review, the referee decides to send A11 off. In that case, will the goal stand?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Crebs
The advice is that VAR reviews every single incident in a game and VAR should be advising the referee NOT to restart after a potential red card incident.
Law 5 is clear that a referee cannot change a decision once play has restarted. Referees will be encouraged not to allow play to restart if there is the possibility of a review. The only exception is for direct sending-off offences such as violent conduct where the disciplinary action can be taken but play does not revert to the restart associated with that offence.

So in your example if play has been allowed to restart then the goal is allowed to stand even after A11 is dismissed for VC.
To be honest missing serious foul play or violent conduct around a challenge is not something that should happen in a VAR managed game with a Pro game referee plus it would only be an error in communication if it were to happen as VAR should be advising the referee not to allow a restart in these situations.
Watching VAR games is is common for referees to hold up a restart to allow VAR to review. Referees don't want a goal scored by a team that should have had a player dismissed for violent conduct.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Crebs,
the issue is VAR was instituted to ensure fairness. The procedures are to ASSIST not alter the referees duties. Given the scope and technological wonders that exist communication is the essential ingredient on getting it right! It will depend on the attentiveness of those manning the stations . As CR my first instinct is to ALWAYS get EYE contact, thumbs up or down with my near AR to ensure something is not amiss BEFORE I restart on most any condition. The similar aspect for AR to VAR is the CR should be LISTENING with an open ear to anything the VAR is contributing Like most problems in life, a failure to effectively communicate is usually a big problem . Goal would be counted , officials likely pillared and reputation in tatters.
Cheers