Sean Dyche, the manager of Nottingham Forest, expressed disappointment over his team’s conceding two goals from incorrectly awarded corners this season. However, unless the International Football Association Board (IFAB) changes its stance, he will not see a review of these decisions in the future.
VAR Deployment and Its Challenges
All football leagues face increasing pressure to minimize delays caused by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. There is strong opposition to any changes that may exacerbate these issues. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association and a member of the IFAB board, has publicly stated his opposition to the review of corner kick decisions.
Impending VAR Changes
As the next football season approaches, it is anticipated that IFAB will approve the reassessment of wrongly issued second yellow cards. This modification is expected to receive support due to the relatively low frequency of such incidents per season compared to corners, which average about ten per match in the Premier League.
Resource Limitations in Domestic Leagues
One of the main challenges for domestic leagues is resource availability, especially in lower tiers. In contrast, FIFA can allocate numerous video referees for major events. For example, during the 2022 World Cup group matches, five individuals operated in the VAR room, whereas most domestic leagues employ only two. The FIFA system includes various specialized roles such as offside VARs and support assistants, which enhance decision-making capabilities.
Technological Advantages at FIFA Events
FIFA also ensures adequate camera coverage for rapid decisions. This is not as easily achieved in domestic leagues. For instance, during a controversial match between Newcastle and Arsenal, the VAR lacked the evidence needed to confirm a winning goal, demonstrating the shortcomings in domestic technology.
- During World Cup 2022, five VAR officials were present.
- The domestic leagues typically have only two VAR officials.
- Average corners in a Premier League match: 10.
The Broader Impact of VAR on Domestic Football
If corner kick reviews were to be included in VAR protocols, all leagues utilizing VAR would be required to implement these checks. This includes not just the Premier League but also leagues such as the Scottish Premiership and the Dutch Eredivisie, down to second divisions across Europe.
Such measures would likely lead to significant delays, as many leagues may not possess the necessary resources for efficient and consistent decision-making. Consequently, FIFA’s proposal for corner reviews has not advanced through the IFAB panels, leading to expectations that FIFA will conduct its own trial during the upcoming World Cup.
