Video assistant referee causes controversy every week whether it be the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup, but how are decisions made and are they correct?
This season, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (PSG won 4-3 on penalties)
Referee: Daniel Siebert Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert Incident: Possible penalty to PSG for handball by Bukayo Saka
What Happened: Saka's attempted clearance from his own penalty area resulted in the ball striking both his right and left arm after he mistimed the flight of the ball. PSG were left demanding a penalty kick. The referee waved away the appeals.
Paris Saint-Germain's players appeal for a penalty after the ball hits Bukayo Saka's arms. Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP VAR Decision: VAR checked and cleared the on-field decision of no penalty.
VAR Review: VAR was quick to confirm the on-field decision of no penalty, deeming that Saka played against himself with his arms in a normal and expected position. Handball Law 12 says it is not a handball offense if a player plays, kicks, or heads the ball and it accidentally ricochets onto their own hand or arm.
Verdict: Correct on-field decision by the referee and a non-intervention from VAR. Law is clear that if a player accidently plays the ball onto their own hand/arm, this is not a handball offense. The only exception to this would be if the ball goes directly into the opponent's goal, as this would be deemed an offense and the goal disallowed.
Incident: Penalty to PSG for a foul by Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
What happened: Mosquera was deemed to have tripped PSG attacker Kvaratskhelia in the penalty area and a penalty was awarded. Mosquera was already on a yellow card, and PSG wanted the Arsenal man to receive a second.
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera challenges through the back of PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, resulting in a penalty. Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images VAR Decision/Review: VAR check was over very quickly. The VAR was very comfortable that Mosquera made no contact on the ball when challenging Kvaratskhelia, however in making his challenge he committed a foul trip on his opponent. VAR cleared the penalty award as a correct decision.