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5d ago

UEFA Launches Clear Line to Rein In VAR

The public video library and a new monitor protocol are meant to speed checks, reduce tiny slow‑motion replays, and return final decision-making to referees on the pitch.

Newcastle United FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
The VAR looks at whether there was a handball in the build-up to a goal by Manchester United's Matheus Cunha.
FBL-EUR-C1-MAN CITY-REAL MADRID
VAR

Overview

  • UEFA launched the Clear Line platform on Monday, publishing an open library of real VAR cases and new guidance to make video decisions clearer for fans, players and clubs.
  • The library contains roughly 100–150 annotated clips that show when VAR must intervene for goals, penalties, straight red cards, factual calls and mistaken identity.
  • Refereeing chiefs agreed a monitor review sequence—freeze-frame for point of contact, half‑speed then full speed—and set about a 90‑second credibility benchmark to shorten on‑field checks.
  • UEFA has secured backing from top domestic referee officers and IFAB and will apply the guidance across Champions League, Europa League and Conference League from the 2026–27 season.
  • The aim is to curb ‘microscopic’ slow‑motion scrutiny that changes match flow and player behaviour, narrow wide differences in intervention rates between competitions, and give referees primary authority again.