What is VAR? The Video Assistant Referee explained

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 09: A general view of the Video Assistant Referee's Room home of the VAR system to be used at all FIFA World Cup matches during the Official Opening of the International Broadcast Centre on June 9, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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CNN  — 

It’s being talked about around the world, dominating discussion in stadiums, crowded pubs and millions of households.

But the talk of the Russia 2018 World Cup so far hasn’t been a wonder goal, horrifying injury or moment of magic.

Instead the three letters on everybody’s lips from Moscow to Melbourne are VAR: the Video Assistant Referee being deployed throughout the tournament.

The video assistant referee control room in Moscow.

While fans of tennis and rugby will be familiar with technology affecting the game – those sports deploying Hawkeye and the Television Match Official (TMO) respectively – this is the first time in history that football has featured VAR at a World Cup.

And it’s already proving controversial. Here’s everything you need to know. It’s a little complicated but there’s method in the madness.

What is it?

Regardless of where the match is being played, the VAR team is located in a centralized operation room in Moscow.

That team – made up of one lead video official and three assistants – has access to all 33 of the broadcast cameras inside the stadium, of which 12 are slow-motion.

They also have two additional cameras dedicated to monitoring possible offsides, featuring computer-generated lines projected onto the field of play. For the knockout phase, an additional ultra slow-motion camera will be installed behind each goal.

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The VAR team don’t only review footage on the instruction of the referee. They’re constantly checking for “clear and obvious” errors behind the scenes.

It’s important to note VAR is only used in what FIFA deems to be “game-changing” incidents. These are goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

How does it work?

Communication between the referee and the officials watching the video footage is two-way. If the VAR believes the referee has made a mistake, they can advise him at any time via the headset.

If the on-field referee is unsure of a particular decision, he can make contact with the VAR.

Many of the venues for Russia 2018 are thousands of miles away from capital, so communication is made through what FIFA calls a “sophisticated fibre-linked radio system.”

Crucially, the VAR does not make any decisions. Instead, they work in an advisory capacity for the man with the whistle. The final decision can only be taken by the on-field referee.

Whether the referee accepts information from VAR or reviews the footage himself on a screen at the side of the field, depends on the type of incident.

Some game-changing incidents like fouls, or possible offside calls leading up to a goal, are strictly in the remit of the on-field referee.

“Factual” game-changing incidents, however, like whether the ball went out of play leading to a goal will be relayed to the referee via the headset.

If the on-pitch referee wants to assess the footage himself, he will do so in the aptly-named “referee review area” – located near the benches – on a pitch-side mobile screen.

How do I know VAR is being used?

The referee can delay the restart of play at any time to communicate with the VAR team in Moscow. This is signaled by the referee pointing to his headset.

If an official VAR review is initiated, the referee will gesture with his hands drawing the outline of a screen to let the players know the game has been stopped.

What do you make of VAR’s World Cup debut so far? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #CNNWorldCup

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VAR has already shaped the course of numerous games in the first week of the tournament, helping the referee award decisive penalties to France and Sweden.