VAR Communication Between Referee and Booth – Referee Academy Lesson 87
VAR Communication Between Referee and Booth is central to modern refereeing because the IFAB VAR Protocol does not re-referee every incident. Instead, it.
Narek Smbatyan
2 min read
Key Takeaways
Handball decisions depend on context, not every contact is an offence. Referees must judge distance, movement, arm position and intent.
VAR Communication Between Referee and Booth is central to modern refereeing because the IFAB VAR Protocol does not re-referee every incident. Instead, it gives the video team a limited role in correcting clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents in specific categories.
VAR only operates inside the protocol: goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red card, and mistaken identity.
How referees judge it
Referees and VARs work through a sequence. First, the on-field decision stands unless the video evidence clearly shows a major error. Second, the officials identify whether the incident is reviewable under the protocol. Third, they decide whether the check can stay silent or needs a formal review.
Why this situation causes debate
Many fans focus on only one frame or one replay angle. Referees are trained to judge the entire action, the law wording, and the real effect of the incident before deciding whether play should continue, be stopped, or be reviewed.
VAR angle
The protocol is deliberately narrow. Many incidents are checked, but only a small number reach an on-field review because the threshold is not whether the video offers another opinion, but whether the original decision is clearly wrong.
Practical example
A typical example is a penalty appeal with minor contact. The VAR may check it silently, but if the contact is subjective and not clearly misjudged, the on-field decision usually remains unchanged.
What to watch on the replay
- the exact starting moment of the incident
- the player actions immediately before contact
- the point of contact and body shape
- the restart required by the law
- whether the incident changed the outcome of the phase
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a check and a review?
A check is the normal silent verification of a reviewable incident. A review happens only when the referee needs to change or confirm a key decision through the protocol.
Can VAR intervene for every foul?
No. VAR is limited to the reviewable categories defined by IFAB.
Does the referee lose authority when VAR is used?
No. The referee remains the final decision-maker even when the VAR recommends a review.
VAR checks whether the on-field decision involves a clear and obvious error. If the referee’s decision is supportable, VAR should confirm the call.
What to Watch on the Replay
- Was the arm in a natural position?
- Did the player make their body unnaturally bigger?
- Was there time to react?
- Did the contact change the outcome of the phase?
Frequently Asked Questions
If the ball hits a player’s arm, is it always a handball?
No. The referee must consider arm position, movement, distance and intent before deciding whether it is an offence.
When should VAR intervene in a handball decision?
Only when the on-field decision is a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident.
