UEFA has introduced a new public platform aimed at clarifying the instances in which the video assistant referee (VAR) will intervene. This initiative is part of European football’s shift towards reducing the number of reviews and granting greater authority to match officials starting from the 2026-27 season.
Event Context
Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s managing director of refereeing, addressed the rising concerns regarding video technology in an interview with BBC Sport. “We recognize that there is widespread dissatisfaction about the impact of VAR on football,” Rosetti noted. He emphasized the importance of context, stating, “It’s football, not PlayStation. We need to tread carefully and avoid overly detailed scrutiny.”
Originally, VAR was implemented to rectify significant errors and serious incidents overlooked by referees. However, its application has increasingly included scrutinizing marginal contact, isolated freeze-frames, and incidents that seem very different when viewed in slow motion. UEFA’s official stance is that VAR should only intervene to correct “clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents in match-changing scenarios.”
Rosetti expressed a desire to refocus video technology on its initial goal, advocating for referees to make confident decisions on the field while limiting VAR to instances where clear evidence is present. He remarked that some recent on-field reviews have lacked connection to the essence of football.
UEFA is particularly concerned about lengthy reviews that involve repeated slow-motion replays. Rosetti warned that a review lasting more than 90 seconds risks “losing credibility” with fans and disrupting the game’s flow. To address this, a standardized review process has been established. Referees will first view a freeze-frame showing the moment of contact, followed by half-speed footage and then regular speed to aid their understanding of the challenge’s context and intensity rather than relying on potentially misleading still images.
Clear Line also aims to minimize interpretational discrepancies between European competitions and domestic leagues. Handball decisions are a significant issue, as similar incidents often yield varying outcomes across England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and UEFA tournaments. Rosetti indicated that the goal is to enhance the consistency of law application, though he acknowledged that complete uniformity in subjective decisions may never be fully attainable.
Player Focus
Named Clear Line, this platform features approximately 150 video clips from real matches, with each incident detailed alongside explanations of the principles referees and VARs utilize to evaluate crucial game-changing decisions. The collection encompasses key scenarios where VAR is allowed to intervene, including goals and offences during the attacking phase, penalties, direct red cards, factual errors, and cases of mistaken identity. UEFA aims to clarify the difference between clear errors that warrant correction and subjective calls that should remain with the on-field referee.
Clear Line is designed not only for match officials but also accessible to players, coaches, clubs, journalists, and fans. This enables stakeholders to compare contentious incidents with UEFA’s endorsed examples. Rosetti emphasized that Clear Line serves as a resource that clarifies when and how VAR should be applied, enhancing the overall understanding of refereeing decisions within the football community.
This initiative will be implemented across UEFA competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. It does not modify existing football laws but signifies a pivotal shift in UEFA’s approach to applying these laws and the current VAR protocol: aiming for less thorough scrutiny, reduced stoppages, and more respect for the original decisions made during the match.
