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How does Video Assistant Referee (VAR) modify the game in elite soccer?

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  • Lago-Peñas Carlos
  • Rey Ezequiel
  • Kalén Anton

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine how the introduction of the VAR system influenced the play in elite soccer. The sample consists of 1024 matches played in the Italian Serie A and the German Bundesliga league during the seasons before and after the implementation of the VAR system. The following variables were recorded for each match: Fouls, Goals, Offsides, Penalties, Playing time in the first half, Playing time in the second half, Total Playing time, Red cards and Yellow cards. Match statistics were retrieved from the website of “Whoscored” (www.whoscored.com). A generalized linear model and a pairwise z-tests were used to compare seasons before and after the implementation of the VAR. There was a decrease in the number of offsides, fouls and yellow cards after the implementation of the VAR. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the number of minutes added to the playing time in the first half and the full game, but not in the second half. These findings may help coaches, players and managers to better understand the effects of the VAR system on professional soccer and to identify strategies to improve refereeing during matches.

Suggested Citation

  • Lago-Peñas Carlos & Rey Ezequiel & Kalén Anton, 2019. "How does Video Assistant Referee (VAR) modify the game in elite soccer?," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(4), pages 646-653, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rpanxx:v:19:y:2019:i:4:p:646-653
    DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2019.1646521
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    Cited by:

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    3. Kai Fischer & Justus Haucap, 2021. "Does Crowd Support Drive the Home Advantage in Professional Football? Evidence from German Ghost Games during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 22(8), pages 982-1008, December.
    4. Tommy Hamsund & Nicolas Scelles, 2021. "Fans’ Perceptions towards Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the English Premier League," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Alma Cohen & Zvika Neeman & Florian Auferoth, 2024. "Judging under Public Pressure," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 106(1), pages 151-166, January.
    6. Kim, Chang Hyun & Lee, Kyung Yul & Kwon, Young Sun, 2022. "Does the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology mitigate referee bias in professional football leagues?," 31st European Regional ITS Conference, Gothenburg 2022: Reining in Digital Platforms? Challenging monopolies, promoting competition and developing regulatory regimes 265643, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    7. Winand, Mathieu & Schneiders, Christopher & Merten, Sebastian & Marlier, Mathieu, 2021. "Sports fans and innovation: An analysis of football fans’ satisfaction with video assistant refereeing through social identity and argumentative theories," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 99-109.
    8. Chitresh Kumar & Girish Balasubramanian, 2023. "Comparative Analysis of Pitch Ratings in All Formats of Cricket," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 48(3), pages 307-324, August.
    9. Böttger, Tom & Vischer, Lars, 2024. "Effects of the video assistant referee on games in the Bundesliga," Discussion Papers of the Institute for Organisational Economics 4/2024, University of Münster, Institute for Organisational Economics.
    10. Richard Faltings & Alex Krumer & Michael Lechner, 2023. "Rot‐Jaune‐Verde: On linguistic bias of referees in Swiss soccer," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(3), pages 380-406, August.
    11. Beiderbeck, Daniel & Evans, Nicolas & Frevel, Nicolas & Schmidt, Sascha L., 2023. "The impact of technology on the future of football – A global Delphi study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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