The head of the Premier League’s refereeing body, Howard Webb, has revealed that the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could soon extend beyond its current scope to cover yellow cards and corner kick decisions. His comments come at a time when football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), is undertaking a major review of VAR’s role in the game.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Webb acknowledged the growing debate around the technology’s limitations, suggesting that certain controversial incidents — particularly incorrect yellow cards and wrongly awarded corners — could be among the next areas for review.
“If you are talking about yellow cards that are delivered incorrectly which could be impactful on the game, then you also have to think about wrongly not-issued yellow cards,” Webb said.
“I understand the impact of a wrongly awarded corner that’s clearly wrong — easy to see on video — and the impact of a wrongly issued yellow card.”
The current VAR protocol, as set out by IFAB, allows the technology to be used in only four match-changing situations: goals, straight red cards, penalty decisions, and cases of mistaken identity. This was designed to maintain the flow of the game while correcting only the most significant errors.
However, the increased scrutiny on refereeing standards in recent seasons has prompted calls for VAR to be applied to a wider range of decisions. According to Webb, any changes would require extensive consultation within the English game and across the wider football community.
Growing Pressure for Change
Since its introduction to the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, VAR has transformed the way key decisions are made, but it has also attracted controversy. Critics argue that some of football’s most debated moments — such as soft yellow cards for dissent or dangerous play, and incorrect corner kick awards leading to goals — remain outside its jurisdiction, despite their potential to alter the outcome of matches.
Supporters of VAR expansion believe that the technology should address all avoidable mistakes, not just those involving goals or red cards. For example, an unjustified yellow card can lead to a player’s suspension or force them to play cautiously for the rest of the game, affecting both individual performance and team strategy.
Similarly, a wrongly awarded corner can create scoring opportunities that shift the momentum of a match, especially in tightly contested fixtures. Webb’s acknowledgment of these points suggests that refereeing authorities are increasingly receptive to broadening VAR’s scope.
Balancing Accuracy and Flow of the Game
While many fans and pundits would welcome greater use of VAR, concerns remain about how such changes might affect the tempo of matches. One of the main criticisms of VAR is the time it takes to reach decisions, often leading to long stoppages and frustration among spectators and players alike.
IFAB has historically resisted expanding VAR to less critical calls precisely to avoid excessive interruptions. Their stance has been that football should retain its natural rhythm, even if that means some smaller errors go uncorrected.
Webb, however, hinted that technological advancements and better referee training could allow VAR checks to be conducted more efficiently, potentially minimising disruption to the game. The key, he stressed, would be finding a balance between accuracy and entertainment.
Consultations Ahead
The next stage in the process will involve discussions between the Premier League, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and other stakeholders in English football. Webb confirmed that any proposed changes would be debated extensively before implementation.
“We will have consultations with the English game as well,” he said, adding that feedback from managers, players, referees, and fans would play a central role in shaping the outcome.
These consultations are expected to take place alongside IFAB’s ongoing VAR review, which could see trials of expanded protocols in domestic leagues or cup competitions before any permanent rule changes are made.
International Implications
If England were to trial or adopt a broader use of VAR, it could influence other major footballing nations to follow suit. The Premier League is one of the most watched competitions globally, and its adoption of innovations often sets a precedent.
Indeed, some countries have already experimented with using VAR for additional scenarios. In certain competitions, technology has been deployed to review potential second yellow cards or borderline offside calls in build-up phases, though these remain exceptions rather than the rule.
An expanded VAR in the Premier League could also impact international tournaments. FIFA and UEFA have increasingly embraced technology, and lessons from domestic leagues often feed into how major competitions are officiated.
Divided Opinions Among Fans and Experts
As with many football debates, opinion on expanding VAR is split. Proponents argue that if the technology exists, it should be used to its fullest capacity to ensure fairness. They see little reason to ignore clear and obvious errors, regardless of whether they involve a corner kick, a yellow card, or another seemingly minor incident.
Opponents counter that football’s appeal lies partly in its human element — including the possibility of refereeing mistakes. They worry that reviewing every potentially wrong call would slow the game down, create confusion, and strip away the spontaneous emotions that make football so captivating.
Webb’s comments have already sparked conversations among fans on social media, with some calling for trials in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup as a low-risk way to assess the impact of expanded reviews. Others remain sceptical, warning that the constant use of technology could lead to over-officiating.
What Happens Next?
The immediate future will see IFAB continuing its formal review of VAR’s effectiveness, with a final report expected later this year. Any changes to the laws of the game would need to be approved by the board, which consists of representatives from FIFA and the four British football associations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
If approved, new protocols could be introduced in time for the 2026/27 season, though smaller-scale trials might begin sooner. The outcome will depend largely on whether IFAB and national leagues believe that expanded VAR can improve decision-making without damaging the spectacle of the sport.
For now, Howard Webb’s openness to the idea marks a notable shift in the conversation about football technology. As the man responsible for overseeing Premier League refereeing, his views carry considerable weight, and his willingness to explore changes signals that the debate is far from over.
Whether it’s the prevention of an unfair yellow card or the correction of an incorrect corner, the future of VAR could soon look very different — and football fans across the world will be watching closely to see if the game’s lawmakers take the next step.
