For the first time in Serie A history, the Video Assistant Referees project will make its debut, when AC Milan host Sassuolo at the San Siro on Sunday evening.
There will be two assistant referees during the game, who will be ready to review certain situations, if the main referee tells them to. However, it’s not allowed to use this feature whenever the referee wants to, as it has to be at least one of these following scenarios:
Goals: The role of VARs is to assist the referee to determine whether there was an infringement that means a goal should not be awarded. As the ball has crossed the line the play has already been interrupted so that there is no direct impact on the game.
Penalty decisions: The role of the VARs is to ensure that no clearly wrong decisions are made in conjunction with the award or non-award of a penalty kick.
Red Card Incidents: The role of the VARs is to ensure that no clearly wrong decisions are made in conjunction with the sending-off of a player.
Mistaken Identity: The referee cautions or sends off the wrong player, or is unsure which player should be sanctioned. The VARs will inform the referee so that the correct player can be disciplined.
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1: The referee informs the VARs or the VARs recommend to the referee that a decision/incident should be reviewed.
Step 2: The video footage is reviewed by the VARs who advise the referee via headset what the video shows.
Step 3: The referee decides to review the video footage at the side of the pitch before taking the appropriate action/decision, or the referee accepts the information from the VARs and takes the appropriate action/decision.
