New Delhi: The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was introduced to football in 2016, debuting in a friendly between France and Italy. It was designed to support on-field referees in making accurate decisions during key match incidents. VAR officially became part of the football rules in 2018 and has since been employed in various competitions, including domestic leagues, the FIFA World Cup, and continental tournaments. Its aim is to reduce human error in critical situations such as goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
However, the implementation of VAR has not been without controversy, sparking heated debates over its impact on the game’s flow and fairness. The FA Cup, England’s oldest football competition, has utilized VAR since the 2017/18 season. Yet, the current 2024/25 campaign has brought significant changes to its use, particularly in the third and fourth rounds, raising questions among fans and pundits alike.
Why is VAR Absent in the FA Cup Third Round?
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards.
This ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 16, 2024
For the 2024/25 season of the FA Cup, the Football Association decided to restrict VAR’s implementation to matches from the fifth round onwards. Previously, VAR was used inconsistently during the third and fourth rounds, available only at Premier League stadiums equipped with the necessary technology. While this ensured VAR was operational at certain fixtures, it created an imbalance, as games at lower-league grounds lacked the system.
Explaining their decision, the FA stated, “It has been agreed that VAR will be utilized for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.” It stated that VAR was only being used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches that took place at the Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce, and costs required for its operation.
However, this decision from the FA ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition. This move aims to eliminate discrepancies caused by some matches benefiting from VAR while others did not. From the fifth round onwards, VAR will be used universally, regardless of the venue, creating a fairer playing field across all fixtures.
How Does VAR Operate?
VAR is designed to intervene only in clear and obvious errors in four specific scenarios:
- Goals – Checking whether a goal should stand, considering potential infringements such as offsides or fouls.
- Penalties – Verifying whether a penalty decision was correctly awarded or missed.
- Direct Red Cards – Reviewing incidents for potential straight red cards (not second yellow cards).
- Mistaken Identity – Correcting errors if the wrong player is penalized.
The on-field referee maintains the final decision, consulting pitch-side monitors to review VAR’s input before confirming or overturning their initial call. Importantly, VAR cannot intervene in less critical situations, such as awarding corners or free kicks.
Changes were made ahead of the FA Cup fixtures this season with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) not being used for the third round of England’s oldest cup competition. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
