The NWSL is the first professional women's soccer league in the world to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The officiating technology, set to make its NWSL debut Saturday, March 25 when the league kicks of the 2023 season, will be used across all 176 matches.

The NWSL is the first professional women's soccer league in the world to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The officiating technology, set to make its NWSL debut Saturday, March 25 when the league kicks of the 2023 season, will be used across all 176 matches.

What is Video Assistant Referee (VAR)?

Video Assistant Referee is a fifth official positioned in a video operation room off-field who reviews decisions made by the on-field referee during a match. The VAR does this using a monitor displaying all available camera angles of a given play. In addition to being reviewable from multiple viewpoints, plays in question can also be slowed down and viewed frame-by-frame. Using this technology, the VAR can identify and communicate to on-field officials clear and obvious errors and serious missed incidents. 

The VAR technology used in the NWSL is provided by Hawk-Eye Innovations, an Atlanta-based company that has implemented the same technology for soccer organizations around the world, including FIFA, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Premier League. 

What is reviewable?

VAR may review the following incidents: * Goal/no goal

• Penalty/no penalty

• Direct red card given/missed

  • 2nd yellow cards are NOT reviewable

• Mistaken identity (i.e. the wrong player is issued a card for a foul) If a play does not fall into one of the four above categories, it is NOT eligible for VAR review. 

Where does VAR review occur and who reviews plays?

All VAR reviews and decisions will be remotely evaluated and determined from the video review center at Hawk-Eye's facilities in Atlanta, Georgia. Match officials, both on-field and VAR, are staffed by Pro Referees Organization (PRO). 

Each NWSL match will have three officials assigned to the VAR booth: * VAR: Video Assistant Referee

*   <span>The official appointed to assist the referee on clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents. As the fifth member of a match's officiating crew, the VAR has access to all available broadcast feeds and video review technology. The VAR performs checks on all plays, and can recommend a review of the four match-changing situations above.</span>

• AVAR: Assistant Video Assistant Referee

  • This official assists the VAR during a match. While the VAR is facilitating a check or video review, the AVAR is watching live match footage for any ensuing clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents.

• RO: Replay Operator

  • The replay operator assists the VAR with the operation of the VAR equipment used to adjudicate decisions. The RO will deliver video feeds to the VAR that provide the optimal angle to determine whether a clear and obvious error has occurred. How does a VAR review work?

Below is the step-by-step process by which a VAR review is initiatied, conducted and completed.  * Referee makes a decision

• VAR begins checking the incident

  1. If more time is needed to review, the VAR will ask referee to delay restarting of the match

• VAR will determine if a clear and obvious error has occurred

  1. If VAR confirms on-field decision, play will continue as normal

• If VAR recommends a review, the head referee will head to the replay review area located on the bench-side of the pitch to review the play on the monitor. Except in cases of mistaken identity, all VAR reviews must be checked at the monitor by the on-field referee

• Referee will return from monitor to make the final decision

Once a review is initiated, graphics will be broadcast in-stadium on the videoboard announcing A. a review is taking place and B. what is being reviewed. After a final decision has been made, the outcome will be broadcast on videoboard.