International
Missed Penalty Reignites Calls for VAR in Zimbabwean Football
A controversial penalty decision in Zimbabwe has renewed debate over whether the domestic game can continue without VAR…
Narek Smbatyan is the creator and lead analyst of The VAR Verdict. Driven by a passion for the technicalities of the sport, Narek provides a deep dive into the Laws of the Game to make sense of football’s most debated moments. By meticulously reviewing VAR protocols and officiating standards, The VAR Verdict serves as a bridge between the complex rulebook and the fans who live for the game.
International
A controversial penalty decision in Zimbabwe has renewed debate over whether the domestic game can continue without VAR…
World Cup 2026
Former FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has criticised FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension and warned that…
Serie A
Italian football has adopted two optional IFAB measures that allow VAR to correct clearly incorrect corner decisions and…
International
From Cüneyt Çakır and Clément Turpin to Mike Dean and Mateu Lahoz, these modern referees have recorded some…
Champions League
UEFA and all 55 European national associations have agreed on a stricter approach to VAR for 2026/27, with…
International
FIFA says the controversial VAR intervention that sent off Breel Embolo restored justice, even though IFAB ruled that…
Champions League
A dangerous challenge escaped a red card, while VAR produced decisive interventions in Zagreb, Edinburgh and Dublin during…
Premier League
The Premier League will trial a new goalkeeper injury rule in 2026/27, requiring an outfield player to leave…
World Cup 2026
IFAB has confirmed that Breel Embolo should not have been sent off against Argentina after VAR incorrectly used…
International
Slavko Vinčić has ended his refereeing career only eight days after taking charge of the 2026 World Cup…