4. Video assistant referee (VAR)
The provision as it is printed, and everything on Ruleside that turns on it.
The referee may be assisted by a video assistant referee (VAR) only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error' or ‘serious missed incident' in relation to:
· mistaken identity when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player
Explained in the rules library 1
The plain-language pages that build on this provision.
Applied in these incidents 2
Real decisions where this clause decided what should have happened.
Changed for 2026/27 1
What this provision replaced, and when it took effect.
Questions that ask it 1
Points in a walk where the reader is deciding this provision.
The Laws of the Game are published by The IFAB and quoted here for the purpose of explaining the decisions on this site. Ruleside is not affiliated with The IFAB or FIFA. Every clause of The Referee that Ruleside cites.