How referees will announce VAR calls at Women's World Cup - ESPN

VAR at the Women's World Cup may look and feel very different as FIFA trials a new method of keeping the fans informed about decisions.

Here, we take a look at how it will work, and how effective it might be.

Until this year, fans had to rely on messages put on the big screen in the stadium, or the commentator on television working out what the referee had decided.

FIFA has embarked on a yearlong trial of referees announcing the outcome when the VAR has sent them to the monitor.

After watching the replay, the referee will make the TV sign and then say how play will restart, and any possible sanctions such as a red card. This will be heard by the fans in the stadium and those watching on TV.

No. FIFA held initial tests during the Club World Cup in February and the Under-20 World Cup in June.

But this will be the highest-profile event it has been used in.

FIFA has released two video examples. The very first time it was used was in a Club World Cup game between Al Ahly and Flamengo, when referee Mustapha Ghorbal had mistakenly awarded a penalty to the Brazilian side for a foul by Khaled Abdelfattah.

After visiting the monitor, it was clear the foul challenge had taken place outside the area.

The referee announced: «Decision is no penalty. Contact outside. Direct free kick. Red card for No. 2. Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.»

The second example is from an Under-20 World Cup game between Argentina and Uzbekistan.

Referee Francois Letexier had awarded a penalty to Uzbekistan in the 29th minute for a foul by Agustin Giay on Makhmudjon Makhamadjonov. However, it was immediately obvious to the VAR that the defender had won the ball before making contact with the attacker.

Letexier announced: «After on-field review,