VAR Review: Shaw’s handball, Ederson’s red card, and Coufal’s elbow incident

Introduction:

The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has caused widespread controversy in every Premier League since its introduction, with numerous decisions coming under scrutiny. But how exactly are these decisions made, and are they always correct? In this article, we take a detailed look at some of the major incidents involving VAR, and explain the process through the lens of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game. We delve into the most recent high-profile incidents and examine the VAR decisions for each, discussing how they have affected every Premier League club in the 2023-24 season. From potential handball penalties to red card decisions and offside disallowances, we provide a comprehensive guide to how VAR operates in the Premier League.

VAR actions continue to cause controversy in the Premier League as it is unclear how decisions are made and whether they are accurate. This week, incidents involving Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham United, and Wolves have been examined to determine the correctness of VAR decisions. Possible penalty calls, red card challenges, and offside decisions have been thoroughly reviewed to evaluate the accuracy of VAR intervention. Despite ongoing controversy, the Premier League has seen VAR make both correct and incorrect decisions throughout the 2023-24 season.