VAR Revisited

I have to hand it to FIFA, they have been very forthcoming on the VAR details throughout the tournament (well, after the Round of 16 at least).  Their final refereeing report notes there were 33 official VAR reviews, of which 29 overturned a decision on the field (in fairness, the refs are calling the game conservatively and allowing VAR to intervene if necessary).  The average VAR review was 1:33 but most felt longer, and with three doubles (PK review and then GK off line review) which lasted more than 5 minutes in duration (possible foul to goal).  They do note there were 53 "serious checks" which aren't VAR reviews and thus adds to the confusion, especially since the average delay was a long 37 seconds.  I've captured 11 of these "serious checks" which everyone thought was a VAR review since it took so long and with the ref in the infamous pose of the two fingers to the earpiece.  The only one I missed was the 9' Italy PK against Jamaica.

One detail they didn't elaborate on was the technical team reviewed 535 incidents and determined 8 were wrong even with VAR (98.50%).  But they don't list the 8 "wrong" decisions (29 of 37 "wrong" decisions were overturned using VAR so none of the VAR reviews were "incorrect").  I wonder if the no-call handball on USA was one of those and penalized France for it in the Round of 16.

Other interesting tidbits were half the 26 PKs awarded were due to VAR and they split up the VAR reviews into "on field" and "VAR only" categories.  Also, there were only four seminars on VAR training and reinforces that the refs were not fully prepared on how to handle matches with VAR at their disposal.  All in all, VAR is a positive but more communication with the audience is needed so that people aren't frustrated why there is a delay in action.  Except for that USA-France match (which also featured a USA goal that seemed like the offsides call was wrong), the vast majority of the VAR calls were consistent, even if we disagree with using the letter of the law to ruin the spirit of the law.

VAR (-Reversal(Taken Away), +Reversal(Added), =Confirmed, xNo Call): 44 (Official: 33) [1-FRA xOff+{g-} 27', 4-ESP xPK= 66', 4-ESP xPK+ 79', 5-ITA Off={xg} 9', 5-ITA xPK= 67', 5-ITA Off={xg} 81', 6-BRA PK= 37', 7-ENG xPK+ 12', 13-FRA xPK+ 68', 14-NGA xHB={g} 29', 17-AUS xPK={F+} 20', 17-AUS Off-{g+} 66', 1-ITA xPK+ 9', 18-JAM xGK+{retake PK} 11', 19-ENG xPK+ 27', 23-USA xPK+ 78', 24-SWE xPK+ 90'+3, 25-FRA xPK+ 73', 25-NGA xGK+{retake PK} 76', 32-ARG xPK+ 86', 32-SCO xGK+{retake PK} 90'+2, 33-CAN PK- 1', 35-USA xOff={g} 50', 36-CHI xPK+ 83' | 37-AUS PK- 42', 37-AUS xPK= 88', 37-AUS RC= 104', 38-GER xOff={g} 20', 38-GER xPK+ 24', 39-ENG Off-{g+} 45'+4, 39-CMR xOff+{g-} 49', 39-ENG xPK= 76', 39-CMR RC-{Y} 90'+8, 40-FRA xF+{g-} 23', 40-BRA Off-{g+} 63', 40-BRA Off={xg} 87', 41-USA PK= 71', 42-CAN xPK+ 66', 42-SWE xOff+{PK-} 81', 48-GER Off={xPK=} 82', 49-ENG xOff-{g-} 67', 49-ENG xPK+ 79', 51-ENG xHB+{g-} 33', 52-USA xPK+ 58']


Blue are notable but not official, likely just long VAR checks (11 of 53 "serious checks").

Example:  xOff+{g-} means no offsides was called resulting in a goal but VAR reversed and added the offsides which then took away the goal.
Example:  xOff+{PK-} means no offsides was called and a PK was awarded but VAR reversed and added offsides which negated PK.
Example:  xOff={g} means no offsides was called and VAR confirmed it and the goal stood.
Example:  Off={xg} means offsides was called negating the goal and VAR confirmed it so no goal.
Example:  Off-{g+} means offsides was called negating the goal but VAR reversed and took away the offsides which meant the goal can be added.
Example:  xHB={g} means no offensive handball was called and VAR confirmed it and the goal stood.
Example:  xF+{g-} means no offensive foul was called but VAR reversed and added foul which took away the goal.
Example:  xPK+ means no PK was called but VAR reversed and ruled defensive foul and thus PK was added.
Example:  xPK= means no PK was called and VAR confirmed it.
Example:  xPK={F+} means no PK was called and VAR confirmed it, but added a defensive foul outside the box.
Example:  PK= means a PK was called and VAR confirmed it.
Example:  PK- means a PK was called but VAR reversed and ruled no defensive foul and took away PK.
Example:  xGK+{retake PK} means no GK violation on PK but VAR reversed and added the infraction (and yellow card) and the PK was to be retaken.
Example:  RC= means red card was issued and VAR confirmed it.
Example:  RC-{Y} means intention is to issue red card but VAR reversed and issued a yellow card instead.