Sports
What is VAR? How does it work? What’s covered? Your guide on Monday debut in English football
The VAR revolution in English football will gathered pace on Monday.
And while football fans have been warned not to expect the game to be perfect they have been assured it will improve.
Referees’ chief Mike Riley hopes the introduction of a video assistant referee – being used for the first time in a competitive match for the Brighton v Crystal Palace FA Cup tie – will go a long way to helping slash officials’ mistakes.
Riley said: “The biggest challenge is understanding that this isn’t about making the game 100 percent perfect.
“It is to address and reduce clear and obvious errors. We don’t want this to sanitise the game or for it to be stopping every two minutes while everyone stands around and gets frustrated.
“The select group of referees get 96 percent of decisions right, so four percent wrong.
“We don’t want errors in the game and if this improves it by two percent then the game has improved. That would be two percent fewer decisions for people to get agitated about.
“That is good for the game — as long as we don’t increase interference, because we want to the game to flow.”
VAR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which games will VAR technology be used for?
The first will be Monday’s FA Cup tie between Brighton and Crystal Palace. Then both legs of Chelsea and Arsenal’s EFL Cup semi-final, the first of which is on Wednesday. Also the EFL Cup final on February 25 and selected future FA Cup games.
What about the Manchester City and Bristol City EFL Cup semi?
Only Premier League grounds have the technology to get the footage back to the league’s TV HQ in Uxbridge. It would be inconsistent to use it in one of the legs and not the other at the Championship club’s ground.
How does the set-up in Uxbridge work?
The VAR — the fifth member of the refereeing team who will be in constant communication with the on-field referee — will be based there, along with an assistant VAR. Neil Swarbrick will be this week’s VAR, assisted by Peter Kirkup. Kirkup will ensure footage is still being monitored whenever Swarbrick is in touch with on-field referee. For games with 12 camera angles, there will also be one replay operator; for more than 12, there will be two replay operators.
What can they see?
They will have access to every camera angle, plus the four goal decision system cameras. Crucially, they won’t see what broadcasters show – replays etc – so will remain uninfluenced by anything external to what they see on those camera angles.
When does the VAR get involved?
This is key. Only when they spot a clear and obvious error. If they do, they need to communicate that to the referee. If they don’t, they stay out of it and let the referee’s decision stand.
Who decides when the VAR gets involved?
The VAR only. A referee can’t say, ‘I’m unsure, help me’ if they are in doubt. They have to make their decision first and if the VAR wants to get involved, they can.
How long does a VAR have to flag up an incident they have spotted?
The VAR has until the next time the game restarts to intervene. So if something like Ashley Young’s elbow on Dusan Tadic happens, the VAR might spot it, communicate that they are checking footage and if the ball goes out say, ‘Do not restart the game’ until they have dealt with it.
If the game has restarted, there is then nothing that can be done.
One exception is violent conduct, if it takes place during a stoppage in the game, officials are given two phases of play to come back to it as sometimes checking that can take a bit longer.
What incidents can a VAR intervene for?
Only four – goals, red cards, penalties and mistaken identity.
What EXACTLY within ‘goals’?
It takes, on average, 30-40 seconds to review incidents so there will be time here while the game is stopped. The VAR will look at all aspects leading up to a goal that might have been missed, including offside, any offence by the attacking team in the build-up and the ball going out of play prior to goal.
What about red cards?
The VAR will only intervene if he thinks the referee has missed a direct red card offence, not a yellow or second yellow. However, there are three instances when the VAR can advise a referee to issue a caution. 1) If, on reviewing a penalty it turns out there is simulation. 2) If, on reviewing an awarded goal, it turns out a player has deliberately handled the ball to score. 3) If, in dismissing a player, it is proved they have been provoked into retaliating, the player who initiated the incident could get booked.
What about penalties?
Should it have been awarded or not, inside or outside the box, was it a foul by the attacker? VAR can also get involved in double touch and encroachment that has an impact, for instance a rebound being scored or cleared by a player who encroached. A keeper moving off the line is left to the on-field official.
Mistaken identity?
This is simple. Think Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs in 2014.
This would have been picked up and discipline transferred to the correct player. It can only be transferred within a team though, not from Team A to Team B.
How are incidents reviewed?
There are two types. The VAR can inform the referee there has been a factual error that does not require the referee to see the video, such as a goal being scored from an offside position. The second is the on-field review where the VAR advises the referee to re-watch footage on a pitch-side monitor and reconsider their decision. In both cases the referee will make a TV signal gesture before communicating the final decision. History shows there is one on-field review in every three games.
How long does this take?
On average from time the game is stopped to restarting it is taking about two-and-a-half minutes.
Can a referee overturn his decision based on a review?
Yes. The final decision rests with the on-field referee.
Does the referee have to change his decision if challenged?
No. If they review a decision but are comfortable with their original call they can stick with it.
Can managers or players appeal for an incident to be reviewed?
No.
What if they try to pressure referees into changing their decisions?
There is a two-stage punishment process for managers. If there is just genuine inquisitiveness, the first stage is a warning. But if they encroach on the three-metre marked area around the monitor and clearly try to influence the decision they are sent to the stands as second stage.
What about players and subs?
They are also not welcome within that three-metre area. Inquisitiveness is a warning. Any attempt to influence the decision is a yellow card.
What next?
A fairly big consultation exercise with the whole game on how best to implement VAR so by the time the summer comes around and the Premier League are deciding whether to use it next season there is a better understanding of how it will work.
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.
Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.
Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.
Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.
The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.
The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.
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