In case you’re not watching or not aware, there’s this whole World Cup thing going on. If you’ve watched before, then you’re definitely aware of VAR.
What does VAR stand for in soccer?
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. It is both the name of the system and the match official who helps the referee review major decisions using video replay.
The VAR is not on the field. The video assistant referee watches the match from a video operation room, along with other video match officials and replay operators. They have access to broadcast camera angles, replay speeds and communication with the referee crew.
The goal is not to re-referee every small call. VAR is there to help with major, match-changing decisions.
How does VAR work?
VAR checks major incidents in the background while the match is going on. The referee does not need to ask for every check. The VAR is already watching.
If the VAR sees a possible clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident, they can recommend that the referee review it. The referee can then either accept information from the VAR or go to the monitor on the sideline for an on-field review.
The referee makes the final decision. VAR can recommend a review, but VAR does not overrule the referee by itself.
That is why you will often see the referee make the TV-screen signal with their hands before going to the monitor or announcing a decision.
I’m not sure if the technology behind it, but in an instant it can assess if a player is offsides in soccer…as shown above, it works down to the inches of a toe.
The image above is from the 0-0 result of Portugal versus Columbia, and it was the difference between a Columbia win and a draw.
From what I’m able to research, FIFA, the organization behind the World Cup, generates roughly 6 billion a year in revenue, compared to the NFL’s 18. The B1G and SEC alone combined for 2.5 in 2025.
If such technology exists in a game that’s as wide open as soccer, why not for American football? A literal game of inches (note: the ABS system is in MLB, which generates 12 billion a year) where first downs and offsides calls are integral to the game doesn’t have something like this? Why? Think of how involved changes the game in the sport if not left up to individual referees?
One can only imagine, huh?
And it wasn’t even close.
That still stings, even after 2 ships.
Part of the technology involves a device inside the ball that allows them to determine when the ball has left the player’s foot which is pretty crazy. I think they are also considering changing the rule so that this would have been onsides. I can’t remember which league l, but I remember announcers mentioning that there is talk to make it where the player either has to be completely past the defender to be considered offsides.
The VAR sounds promising especially in playoff and bowl games. I’m afraid that in conference play the Bama boys in the Hoover office would find another tool helpful for their overlord Saban and the ghost of Bear.
According to the head officials that day in 2018, a
Vacantly
Alert
Referee
was on the field of play and actually called the penalty… “Tyler Simmons Was Onsides”…GO DAWGS!!
I loved it when VAR reversed a penalty on the US defender and instead penalized the Paraguay player for the obvious dive.
We need this in football (the real kind) especially on the goal lines. No good reason it’s not there.
For my $, you can almost have TS being onsides. The play above tied the game. If this gets called, maybe they try a fg. Maybe they make it but still don’t have the lead. Maybe they miss it. Maybe we block it. Maybe we block it and return it.
And don’t forget the face mask on Swift and no calls on treating Fromm like a red headed step child (which a million other qb’s get those roughing calls). Yep, still bullshit, still not over it, and Kirby should have 3 natty’s.
Its not allowed because “gambling”