Question Number: 35883

Mechanics 2/17/2025

Zluvka of Liberec, Liberec Region Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35867

Hi, I don't understand one thing. Why did the VAR call the referee to the monitor? Offside is usually reported to the headset.

Situation A (similar): The referee awards a penalty. VAR sees an offside in the attacking phase. VAR also sees reckless contact (the original penalty foul). Will VAR call the referee to the monitor to deal with the yellow card? (I think not.)

Situation B (a bit unlikely, I admit): The referee awards a penalty. VAR calls the referee because it doesn't seem like a penalty. The referee disagrees and upholds the original decision. He also sees on the monitor that the foul is reckless and awards a yellow card. In reality, he didn't notice it.

They are exactly the same fouls. The first time without a card, but the second time with a card. Thank you, Zluvka

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Zluvka
Two reasons for me
One is the referee had to rescind the caution for the defender and the second one is that it was a judgement offside call on interfering with an opponent. Where there is a decision of fact the referee is not required to view the monitor.

In Situation 1 as there is both offside and a reckless challenge the referee will be asked to view the monitor for the challenge part.

VAR allows for the taking appropriate disciplinary action, including cautions(YCs),for any offence not originally seen but which is clearly identified by the review

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Zluvka,
as in all cases the concept of VAR is designed to GET THE CORRECT decision. Now they have fiddled with the mechanics as to when & how but the why has always been, are we sure the restart is based on what has occurred? ?
In decisions of fact where a referee is watching, seeing, reacting appropriately the VAR has no reason to intervene. Here there is an error in this case as offside criteria were met but a caution was awarded, if that caution was for a reckless challenge, it would not be lifted. The challenge was for USB breaking up the attacking play, as no attack was possible, no reason to caution.
If a referee awards a DFK/ PK for a foul he has witnessed, VAR only suggests a review of an incident that went unseen, but a referee can caution or send off if the screen clearly shows additional misconduct that went unnoticed.
Cheers