The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018 has reshaped the landscape of football, sparking debates, controversies, and discussions about its impact on the beautiful game. VAR serves as a video replay system aimed at aiding match officials in reviewing crucial moments for more precise decisions. The VAR team, comprising a video assistant referee, assistant video assistant referees, and a replay operator, observe the game centrally and in the event of an on-field incident where VAR intervention is necessary, they can guide the on-field referee to review footage or offer prompt feedback on potential errors. **Primary events in which the VAR review comes into play:** **1. Goals:** VAR checks for offside, handball, and other potential infringements leading up to a goal. **2. Penalties:** VAR assesses incidents inside or outside the penalty area and checks for fouls or handballs. There’s some nuance here – a handball outside the area will not be flagged for the referee’s attention by VAR. **3. Red Cards:** VAR can recommend red cards for incidents that the on-field referee may have missed. **4. Mistaken Identity:** VAR ensures that the correct player is penalised for an offence. As VAR becomes an integral part of modern football, its implementation varies across leagues, creating a diverse set of experiences for players, managers, fans, and punters alike. In this article we’ll examine at how it has defined the outcomes of games positively and negatively in the Premier League, compared to its usage at the 2022 World Cup. We also discuss how punters can take advantage of [FlexiCUT: BetKing’s new feature](https://m.betking.com/blog/features/flexi-cut-launch-how-bet-king-s-new-feature-improves-your-betting-options/) to avoid losing bets if it can be avoided. **VAR at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup** The 2022 World Cup was one for the ages. Contrary to pre-tournament expectations, it was a exciting tournament with a fitting finale: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi put on an epic show in the final which the Argentine legend just ended up winning. The 2022 World Cup was also notable for how review technology was deployed and implemented, however. **Semi-Automated offside technology (SOAT):** FIFA introduced the semi-automated offside technology during the 2022 World Cup. This system, using limb-tracking technology and powered by artificial intelligence through 12 dedicated cameras, aims to speed up offside decisions and provide clearer visuals for spectators in the stadium. The 3D models of players’ bodies created by the cameras enable efficient data processing, and the resulting animations are showcased on venue screens and available to broadcasters, enhancing the overall viewing experience. This technology was also adopted by the European football governing body for all UEFA competitions including the Champions league, Nations League and will be used at next year’s Euro Championship in Germany. **VAR Cases at the World Cup** The VAR experience and application at the FIFA World cup was smooth and the time wasted during its usage were added to the additional times issued by center referees which saw longer additional minutes than usual. At the World Cup, a total of [25 decisions were overturned. 2 overturn proposals were also rejected. These decisions led to 6 goals and 10 disallowed goals. ](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37634070/var-review-every-decision-world-cup-analysed) VAR review also led to 10 awarded penalties, with 2 for holding and 2 others for handballs. However, only 4 of the awarded penalties were converted. Also, 1 penalty was cancelled for offside, 2 were rejected while 1 penalty was retaken due to goalkeeper encroachment. VAR was also used to rule out 8 goals for offside and overturned 2 incorrect offside decision whilst being in use once for a correct red card decision. All these decisions were taken devoid of controversy and no wrong call was given after the review. Which takes us to… **How VAR is implemented in the English Premier League** **Hawk-Eye’s virtual offside line technology:** The Premier League uses the Hawk-Eye’s virtual offside line technology which is used to determine a player’s onside or offside position. This technology operates on two levels. The first is the gridline, displaying a two-dimensional line aligned with the furthest player. Additionally, it comes into play when two players are in such proximity that discerning the offside status of a goal becomes challenging. This is where the second tier of lines, known as crosshair, becomes essential. The crosshair comprises lines drawn in alignment with the last player of the defending team and the player of the offensive team. It also incorporates a 3D vertical line, indicating whether a specific body part, like an arm, is offside. **VAR Cases in the Premier League** Contrary to how well VAR was implemented at the World Cup, the application of VAR in the Premier League has been controversial. Since the season began, several high-profile managers have had issues with how badly the technology has been implemented. 1. The first VAR drama this season came on match-day one at Old Trafford where Wolves were denied a late penalty against Manchester United after Andre Onana took out Sasa Kalajdzic late in the game. This left Wolves Manager Gary O’Neil furious as they went on to lose the match by a lone goal. A few days later, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) issued a public apology and admitted the obvious VAR error. The VAR officials responsible for the error, Simon Hooper and Michael Salisbury, were punished with relegation to the lower division before resuming duty a mere week later. 2. Weeks later, Jurgen Klopp was incandescent with rage after their 2-1 Premier League loss to Tottenham on match-day 7. VAR had failed to overturn an incorrect decision to disallow a Luis Diaz goal for offside with the match goalless. This error cost several punters who’d placed bets with BetKing for the Colombian to score anytime their betslip. Again, the PGMOL apologised for another clear and obvious VAR error and demoted the offending officials to the lower division for one weekend. 3. On match-day 10, Wolves were again on the receiving end of another VAR mistake after centre referee Anthony Taylor, along with his VAR team came under fire after deciding to award a penalty to Newcastle United despite VAR review of a clear dive. The match ended 2-2 after full time and again, Anthony Taylor was demoted for one weekend to the English 2nd division. 4. Match-day 11 saw another drama unfold at the St James’ Park where Newcastle hosted Arsenal as several contentious VAR calls defined the outcome of the game as the Magpies edged the Gunners with a controversial goal to secure a 1-0 win. Last season, Leicester City came 2 points short of avoiding relegation into the Championship as they finished 18th, just below Everton. When you consider the fact that the [Foxes lost 2 points to VAR errors](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37631044/how-var-decisions-affected-every-premier-league-club-2022-23) and if those 2 points had been awarded, Everton would have gotten relegated instead, due to an inferior goal difference. **FIFA VAR compared to Premier League VAR usage**
From the table, the difference in how the technology is used, the approach and the quality of officials handling the technology is obvious. Until necessary upgrades are made in the Premier League, VAR inconsistencies will continue to cost not just teams and fans but punters a fortune. Which brings us to how you can mitigate this added layer of volatility. **How FlexiCUT helps you to mitigate risk** Since VAR inconsistencies have seemingly come to stay, the introduction of FlexiCUT, a new BetKing feature that helps bettors to insure their Betslip against risk, should be welcome news. FlexiCUT is a new feature that empowers you with the freedom to choose the number of games you want to ‘cut’ in your accumulator bet. This new feature enables you to proactively choose which bets could harm your bet-slip and provides clear information on your potential winnings if those markets are removed. In a nutshell, FlexiCUT is your chance to walk away with something when unforeseen circumstances (like wrong VAR calls) would ordinarily tank your betslip. **How to use FlexiCUT.** 1. If you’re new to BetKing, [create an account.](https://m.betking.com/account/registration) For existing customers, simply enter your login details. 2. Explore our Blog for free professional betting tips, and live bets prediction across all types of bets. Make your selections, with the knowledge that you can use FlexiCUT to safeguard chosen picks, and then proceed to place your bet. 3. Remember, FlexiCUT activation requires a minimum of five selections with a combined minimum odds value of 1.05. 4. Once FlexiCUT is activated, the odds are recalculated based on the number of games you choose to remove from your selection. 5. Now, patiently await the game results, and if your bet prediction is accurate, claim your winnings. For more details, kindly visit our [FlexiCUT help page](https://m.betking.com/help/flexi-cut) and place your bets this weekend [with the betting tips our experts have provided. ](https://m.betking.com/blog/betting-tips/) Don’t let EPL inconsistencies ruin your betslip, [sign-up for a BetKing account today](https://m.betking.com/account/registration), leverage on our FlexiCUT offer and put the heartbreak of VAR errors costing you your desired winnings behind you. Take control of your fortunes and start kinging!!!