Fan's Guide to VAR in the A-Leagues 2026/27

It is the test the VAR must meet before it can step in. The IFAB VAR protocol says the VAR may assist only in the event of a "clear and obvious error" or a "serious missed incident" in one of the reviewable categories.

The protocol states the following about the test:

• The referee's original decision will not be changed unless the video review clearly shows that it was a clear and obvious error.
• This includes decisions the referee made based on information from another match official, such as offside.
• The referee must always make a decision first. The referee cannot give "no decision" and then rely on the VAR, although a decision to allow play to continue after an alleged offence can be reviewed.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

Only the referee can start a review. The VAR and the other match officials can only recommend one. The referee can start a review when the VAR or another match official recommends it, or when the referee suspects that something serious has been missed.

Coaches and players do not need to ask for a check or review, because the VAR automatically checks every situation. The final decision is always taken by the referee, either on information from the VAR or after an on-field review.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

Under the IFAB VAR protocol:

• Check: the VAR automatically checks the footage for every potential or actual goal, penalty or direct red card decision, and for cases of mistaken identity, using different camera angles and replay speeds.
• Silent check: if the check shows no clear and obvious error or serious missed incident, there is usually no need for the VAR to speak to the referee.
• Delayed restart: if a restart needs to be delayed for a check, the referee holds a finger to the earpiece and extends the other hand or arm. The signal is held until the check is complete, because it shows the referee is receiving information.
• Review: if the check shows a probable clear and obvious error or serious missed incident, the VAR tells the referee, who decides whether to start a review. If play has not stopped, the referee stops it when the ball is next in a neutral situation (usually when neither team is in an attacking move) and shows the TV signal.
• Final decision: after the review, the referee shows the TV signal immediately followed by the decision.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

After the VAR describes what the replay shows, the referee chooses one of two routes (IFAB VAR protocol):

• On-field review (OFR): the referee shows the TV signal and goes to the referee review area to watch the replay before making a final decision. The other match officials do not review the footage unless, in exceptional circumstances, the referee asks them to.
• VAR-only review: the referee makes the final decision based on their own perception and the VAR's information, plus input from other match officials where appropriate.

Which one suits which decision:

• Subjective decisions, such as the intensity of a foul challenge, interference at offside or handball considerations: an on-field review is appropriate.
• Factual decisions, such as the position of a player, point of contact, whether a foul was inside or outside the penalty area, or ball out of play: a VAR-only review is usually appropriate. An on-field review can still be used if it helps manage the players or "sell" the decision, for example a crucial match-deciding decision late in the game.

At the end of either process the referee shows the TV signal immediately followed by the final decision.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

Offside can be reviewed when it forms part of the build-up to a goal or a penalty (attacking team offences such as handball, foul or offside). A decision based on information from an assistant referee, such as offside, also needs a clear and obvious error before it is changed.

The IFAB VAR protocol separates two kinds of offside question:

• Factual, such as the position of a player: a VAR-only review is usually appropriate.
• Subjective, such as interference at offside: an on-field review is appropriate.

The protocol says slow-motion replays should generally be used only for facts, such as the position of an offence or player.

It also covers the assistant referee's flag: delaying the flag is only permitted in a very clear attacking situation when a player is about to score or has a clear run into or towards the penalty area. If the flag was delayed, the assistant referee must raise it if the attacking team scores, or is awarded a penalty kick, free kick, corner kick or throw-in, or keeps possession after the initial attack has ended.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

The IFAB VAR protocol sets no maximum time for a review. It says the process should be completed as efficiently as possible, but the accuracy of the final decision is more important than speed. It adds that some situations are complex, with several reviewable decisions or incidents.

For goals, penalties and denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), it may be necessary to review the attacking phase of play that led directly to the incident, which can include how the attacking team gained possession in open play.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

Generally no. The IFAB VAR protocol says the Laws of the Game do not allow restart decisions (corner kicks, throw-ins and so on) to be changed once play has restarted, so they cannot be reviewed.

Once play has stopped and restarted, the referee may only review, and take the appropriate disciplinary action for:

• a case of mistaken identity, or
• a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive action(s).

One exception before the restart: a clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick can be reviewed only where the competition has chosen that option, and only if it can be changed immediately without delaying the restart.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

Football Australia announced in October 2025 that it would introduce VARdict in the Isuzu UTE A-League (men's competition) for the first time in 2025-26. It is an in-stadium system that gives real-time updates on big screens during VAR checks, so supporters can follow what is happening.

The same announcement said the A-Leagues Professional Referee Panel would expand from four to 13 officials, with six full-time and seven part-time referees.

Source: A-Leagues, "'Transparent' VAR first introduced to A-League for 2025-26", 16 October 2025: https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-2025-26-refereeing-announcing-casey-reibelt-var-update-details-reaction/

The IFAB VAR protocol says:

• Players and team officials must not surround the referee or try to influence a review or the final decision.
• There is no need for coaches or players to request a check or review, because the VAR automatically checks every situation.
• During a review, players stay on the field of play and substitutes and team officials stay off it.
• A player, substitute, substituted player or team official who excessively shows the TV signal, or who enters the referee review area, will be cautioned.
• Anyone who enters the video operation room will be sent off.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.

In principle, no. The IFAB VAR protocol says a match is not invalidated because of:

• a malfunction of the VAR technology
• a wrong decision involving the VAR (the VAR is a match official)
• a decision not to review an incident
• a review of a situation or decision that is not reviewable

If a VAR, assistant VAR or replay operator cannot start or continue and no qualified replacement can be found for the VAR or replay operator, the protocol says the match must be played or continue without VARs.

Source: IFAB, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, 2026/27 Laws of the Game.