VAR set to look into second yellows as well as corners with the Ifab focused on limiting disruption of play.
As long as the procedure “does not slow the flow of play,” football’s legislative body has supported plans to expand the use of the video assistant referee system, enabling it to intervene on second yellow cards and the awarding of corners.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab) extended the “countdown principle,” which gives goalkeepers eight seconds to release the ball from their hands, to include goal-kicks and throw-ins due to the fast-paced nature of the game.
Ifab claims that VAR will only step in where there is “clear factual evidence” that the second yellow card was given incorrectly and resulted in a red card. The same would hold true in situations where an offence that resulted in a card was punished on the incorrect team. Decisions made on corners that were obviously incorrect may be reviewed as long as the inspection “can be done immediately and without delaying the restart.”
Ifab claimed that the new regulations were “specific extensions” of the VAR system and that it did not favour extending the system’s authority, contending that it should only be used for decisions pertaining to goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. The modifications were supported on Tuesday at the body’s annual business meeting and are likely to be approved at the organization’s AGM the following month.
They were part of a number of initiatives that Ifab had outlined, the majority of which were aimed at reducing play interruptions, a rising concern among European legislators and tournament organisers. Additionally, players who leave the pitch after being substituted will be subject to a 10-second time limit.
Supporters are unlikely to embrace the announcement of increased VAR authority, as their dissatisfaction with video technology shows no signs of abating.