Football bosses decide VAR will be used for MORE decisions with law changes agreed

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VAR will soon wield even more power after football’s lawmakers agreed to increase its scope. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) met in London and have decided to broaden VAR’s powers to include second yellow cards and corners.

Currently, the video assistant referee cannot intervene on yellow cards, even when it is in a situation where the player is getting a second yellow and will be sent off. But IFAB have decided they should be able to step in for “factually incorrect second yellow cards”.

It has also been agreed that VAR will be able to let the on-field referee know when there has been a “clearly wrongly awarded corner kick, provided this can be done immediately and without delaying the restart”.

Despite clearly expanding VAR’s remit, IFAB have argued that the changes are “specific extensions that would not slow the flow of play”. VAR will remain largely focused on goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity, it is claimed.

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Football’s lawmakers were also happy to pat themselves on the back for the “positive global feedback” they have received over the recent rule changes around goalkeepers. Keepers are now subject to a countdown of eight seconds when they hold onto the ball, which will result in a corner to the other team if breached.

That success has led IFAB to extend the rule to goal kicks and throw-ins, in an effort to reduce time-wasting tactics. They will also introduce a 10-second time limit for players being substituted to try and speed up play further.

The updates come amid yet more frustration around the amount of time VAR interventions are taking on a regular basis. It took five minutes and 30 seconds for VAR to rule out a goal by Antoine Semenyo in Manchester City ’s win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last week.

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That was because semi-automated offside technology failed because it was unable to identify the location of the ball in the lead-up to the goal. IFAB recommended continued trials of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT).

The Professional Game Match Officials have constantly had to apologise and explain for VAR delays and mistakes this season, with Howard Webb trying to increase accountability. And the expansion of VAR’s powers is unlikely to go down well with many in the game.

"Today, four people were not able to decide because the line was,” Pep Guardiola ranted after the VAR farce against Newcastle. “I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to call me tomorrow to make explanations for that."

He added: “Today was more than six minutes (reviewing) and we’re not even able to discuss it with the referee. But they will call me.”

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