How does VAR work in Ligue 1 and what impact does it have on matches?

31 Tem 04:03

In my first season as an assistant referee in a regional football tournament, I had the chance to closely observe how VAR works in Ligue 1, and although it’s not identical to what’s used in amateur football, the principles remain the same. The system consists of a team of four operators: the head referee, the VAR assistant (AVAR), the on-field assistant referee, and the video analyst. When a controversial play occurs—such as a potential offside or a handball in the box—the head referee can stop the game and request a review. The VAR team reviews the sequence in real time using multiple camera angles and employs goal-line technology and ball-tracking to determine whether the original decision should stand or be overturned. The criteria are strict: only clear and obvious errors are reviewed, and the final decision must be based on the most indisputable evidence available. As for the flow of the game, I remember a semi-final where a penalty review took nearly two minutes; the tension in the stadium felt like time had stopped. However, most players and fans appreciate the clarity VAR brings, as it reduces decisive errors and increases trust in referees. Personally, after that experience, I realized that the strategic pause of a review can momentarily disrupt the flow, but in the end, the benefit of fairer decisions outweighs the annoyance of the delay. Now, when I watch Ligue 1 matches, I notice how the referee quickly communicates with VAR and how, after the review, play resumes with a greater sense of legitimacy.