Video assistant referee (VAR) causes controversy every week whether it be the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup, but how are decisions made and are they correct?
This FIFA World Cup, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process in terms of both VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
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United States vs. Paraguay
Danny Makkelie
Carlos Del Cerro Grande
53rd minute
After originally giving USMNT defender Tim Ream a yellow card, the referee was called to the screen and re-issued it to Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón.
After a VAR check for mistaken identity, Miguel Almirón is shown a yellow card 🟨 pic.twitter.com/XeD17F7hnV
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— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026
USMNT captain Ream was initially shown a yellow card for what appeared to be a careless trip on Paraguay attacker Almirón. However, following the incident being reviewed by VAR and the referee at the screen, it was clear that there was no contact by American on the attacker and his yellow was rescinded — Almirón received the yellow card for simulation.
One of FIFA’s new laws allows VAR to intervene when a player is shown a yellow or red card, but the offence for which the card was shown was committed by another player of either team.
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When a player clearly deceives the referee and as a result an opposition player receives an unfair yellow card, this can only be a positive addition to the laws. The initial yellow to Ream was an understandable decision in real-time by the referee, however Almirón clearly tries to win a free kick by committing an act of simulation and his delayed yellow card justified. This was a good application of the new laws and will hopefully discourage players diving in these types of situations.
