The VAR is already well-established in LaLiga Santander

LaLiga is playing its part in the making of history with the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) for the first time in the top flight of Spanish football. After almost a third of the current LaLiga Santander campaign, the data shows that VAR has performed a total of 1,420 silent checks during the first 120 matches, which means an average of 11.83 incidents are reviewed per game.

Among the total of 1,420 incidents silently reviewed by VAR, on 41 occasions was the main referee’s initial decision modified, which means 2.88% of the total of incidents were altered.

Taking into account that the total of the 41 calls have occurred in 120 matches, it can be concluded that VAR carries out a review every 2.9 matches. This is in line with the average figures that have been recorded in the other competitions in which VAR has been introduced.

As indicated in the regulations of the Video Assistant Referee, its implementation must be restricted to the review of goals, penalties, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity as long as it is believed that a clear and evident error has been made by the main referee.

In this regard, VAR reviews in Laliga Santander have been divided as follows: 22 reviews of goals, 14 penalties, 4 straight red cards and one case of mistaken identity.