We analyze all key VAR decisions in all 64 matches of the Women’s World Cup. History was made between New Zealand and Norway, as the referee announced a VAR decision in front of the crowd at a major tournament for the first time.
After every big call, we check it out and explain the process in terms of the VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
VAR flops: Penalty for Hansen’s handball
What happened: It was the 87th minute, when New Zealander Malia Steinmetz tried to cross into the area from the right, and the ball hit Norway defender Tova Hansen inside the area. Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita signaled play to continue, but as soon as he stopped the video assistant referee, Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzmán began checking handball.
– How referees will announce VAR calls in the Women’s World Cup
Video Assistant Referee Decision: Missed penalty kick by Ria Percival
VAR review: The Women’s World Cup is the first major test of FIFA’s new VAR process, with the referee announcing to the crowd through their microphone. She has already appeared in the Club World Cup and the Under-20 World Cup, but this tournament is the one that will bring the fans.
FIFA would be glad he was seen in action in the high-profile opening match, and it looks like it’s running smoothly. At the same time, world football’s governing body could not wish for an easier decision to bring to trial.
Everyone on the field knew that the ball had hit Hansen, and a penalty kick was clearly required for the handballer. Replays showed Hansen was far from her body with her arm, so it was a simple VAR call to send the referee to the screen.
After Yamashita reviewed the shots, there was silence at Eden Park as the home crowd waited for their team to be awarded the penalty.
Yamashita stepped onto the field, put up the television banner and announced: “After field review, the decision… is a penalty.”
And when the referee signaled towards the penalty point, the fans erupted in celebration, which means that their interpretation of the decision was lost in the noise. After issuing the decision, the referee determines which player has been penalized, any offense and any disciplinary action.
This VAR overturn was too minor to really need such an explanation, and Yamashita’s announcement of the result certainly seemed to add to the drama. The only potential doubt was whether the handball was in or out of the area.
But it begs the question, what will happen when there is a controversial or complex coup, or an off-the-ball violation is spotted that the public was not aware of prior to the review? Will the interpretation of the ruling also drown out the public’s reaction?
It is early days for this trial, as under the old system there was clearly a penalty awarded by the referee indicating the penalty spot.
FIFA believes this is the solution to fans’ frustration with VAR calls, but we still haven’t heard what VAR has to say to the referee – and that’s what fans really want.
Also, it only applies to screen inversions. At the start of the second half, there was another penalty appeal, and the VAR stopped for a lengthy check on play. Fans were not shown any explanation for this, instead having to rely on information on the big screen.
