{"id":14896,"date":"2026-07-16T10:15:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T03:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=14896"},"modified":"2026-07-16T10:15:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T03:15:48","slug":"how-var-is-changing-soccer-and-its-referees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/how-var-is-changing-soccer-and-its-referees\/","title":{"rendered":"How VAR is changing soccer \u2013 and its\u00a0referees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being a referee is a thankless job. Despite the necessity and complexity of the role, referees\u2019 decisions continue to be heavily scrutinised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Round of 16 World Cup match between England and Mexico, two Video Assistant Referee (VAR) interventions occurred after the referee had allowed play to continue. The first resulted in a red card to England, while the second led to a penalty to Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, there was little agreement among fans and pundits in either case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the game, England manager Thomas Tuchel reflected on the VAR intervention, stating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the referees are just not good enough, the fourth officials are just not good enough \u2013 that\u2019s the bottom line.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by ESPN FC (@espnfc)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n