UEFA rejects expansion of VAR use against Schwalbes after 2026 World Cup

UEFA rejects expansion of VAR use against Schwalbes after 2026 World Cup

According to Sports.

Background

UEFA's decision has direct implications for European competitions, where the focus remains on correcting obvious errors. This could also affect the performance of teams such as the Dutch national team, the Oranje, who are preparing for future tournaments. Keeping the current VAR rules in place can help them focus on their game without the added pressure of VAR interventions at Schwalbes.

Why this matters

UEFA's decision not to adopt the expansion of VAR use against Schwalbes highlights concerns about the subjectivity and interpretation of these new rules. This could impact the way matches are officiated in European competitions, especially given the recent controversy surrounding VAR decisions at the 2026 World Cup. Maintaining the focus on obvious errors can help the speed and flow of the game.

Key points

• UEFA rejects expansion of VAR use against Schwalbes after 2026 World Cup.
• After adjusting the rules of the game at the 2026 World Cup, in which VAR was used to detect fouls, UEFA has chosen not to adopt this change for European competitions.
• UEFA warns VAR against using the technology to detect diving after World Cup controversy.

UEFA has announced that it will not adopt a controversial new application of VAR, introduced at the 2026 World Cup, in European competitions. The discussion revolves around using the video referee to immediately punish swerves, or deliberate dives by players. This expansion of the VAR was intensively tested at the World Cup in 2026, after the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved an adjustment to the rules of the game. This empowered the video team to not only review goals and red cards, but also to catch players simulating fouls in the penalty area. Although FIFA and IFAB saw this step as progress in combating unsportsmanlike behavior, UEFA is wary of this. According to European football bosses, more active detection of mistakes through VAR entails too much subjectivity and room for interpretation. Editorial from UEFA emphasizes that the core task of VAR should be limited to correcting 'real obvious errors' in goals, red cards, penalties and mistaken identity. The controversy over the new use of VAR mainly arose after a number of high-profile moments during the 2026 World Cup. Several matches ended in controversy after penalties were awarded or withdrawn after long VAR analyzes of possible mistakes. Critics within European football point out the risk of endless discussions and the artificial prolongation of matches through meticulous VAR interventions. For the European football competitions and the Champions League, the decision means that referees themselves remain responsible for assessing possible mistakes for the time being. The emphasis remains on the existing VAR role as it was known in the seasons leading up to the 2026 World Cup. UEFA therefore follows the position thatconsistency, clarity and pace in the game are more important than expanding VAR options. In the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, fans of the Dutch team and other national teams will therefore not notice any direct impact of this VAR change during the European Championship or in the qualifying series for the 2026 World Cup. However, international developments will be closely monitored, especially if FIFA decides to further roll out the World Cup rules in other continental tournaments.

What's happening now

With the rejection of this VAR expansion, it is likely that UEFA will continue to focus on improving the current rules of the game without additional complications. However, the discussion about schwalbes and the use of technology in football will continue, especially with the upcoming competitions and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. It is expected that UEFA and other bodies will continue to evaluate how technology can contribute to fairer play without disrupting the dynamics of matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has UEFA decided about the use of VAR?

UEFA has decided not to adopt the expansion of the use of VAR to penalize fouls, as tested at the 2026 World Cup, in European competitions.

Who confirmed UEFA's decision?

UEFA's decision has been confirmed by European football bosses.

Why has UEFA made this decision now?

UEFA is reluctant to expand VAR because more actively detecting mistakes entails too much subjectivity and room for interpretation.

What changes are there for referees in European competitions?

Referees remain responsible for assessing possible mistakes for the time being, without the support of the VAR for these situations.

What caused the controversy surrounding VAR during the 2026 World Cup?

The controversy arose due to high-profile moments in which penalties were awarded or withdrawn after lengthy VAR analyzes of possible mistakes.

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