The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has decided to expand the powers of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at their annual meeting in Wales. These new rules are set to come into effect in the summer and could be applied during the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America. The Bundesliga is also expected to adopt these changes starting from the next season, although there is no obligation for all competitions to implement them immediately.

One of the significant changes includes the VAR having the authority to check the correctness of corner kicks, provided that the verification can be done immediately and without delaying the continuation of the game. This measure aims to prevent situations where a wrongly awarded corner can lead directly to a goal. Additionally, the VAR will now be responsible for reviewing second yellow cards that lead to red cards, enhancing its role in ensuring fair play on the field. However, the first yellow card decisions will continue to be left unchecked.

The implementation of these changes marks a considerable shift in how VAR will interact with on-field decisions, promising to make the game fairer by addressing critical moments that can influence match outcomes. This move also raises discussions among football stakeholders regarding the balance between technology in officiating and maintaining the flow of the game.