Introduction to VAR Technology in Euro 2025
The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology continues to be a topic of debate, with the 2025 UEFA European Championship exemplifying this trend through a variety of controversial decisions. Here, we analyze some of the tournament’s most contentious moments, aiming to clarify the reasoning behind each VAR intervention, despite the perplexity many fans and players faced.
Controversial Decisions and VAR Interventions
During a crucial moment in Norway’s match against Italy, Ada Hegerberg was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Elena Linari. Though the incident raised eyebrows since Hegerberg was offside when the ball was played, the penalty stood. This is attributable to a particular nuance in the offside rule: a player is deemed offside only when they are actively involved in play. As Hegerberg had not engaged with the ball or her opponent at the time of the foul, the VAR confirmed that the penalty was valid.
In another match, England’s Alessia Russo believed she had netted a goal against France, only for a VAR review to reveal an offside in the buildup. The technology used to determine offside, while an improvement, still faced criticism due to its inability to clearly depict these marginal decisions when contenders are closely grouped, leaving both players and fans puzzled about the ruling.
England faced further disappointment when their third goal was nullified after a VAR check due to offside created by Leah Williamson. The ruling was determined after deliberation on whether a defender’s touch constitutes a ‘deliberate play’ that would reset the offside. The ruling hinged on whether Spitse’s attempt to head the ball was controlled, leading to Williamson’s continued offside positioning.
Denmark also encountered VAR complications when a penalty awarded for a foul against captain Pernille Harder was reversed following a comprehensive four-minute review. Ultimately, the VAR showed that Harder was inadvertently tripped by a teammate, rather than by the opponent as originally thought, providing a lesson in the importance of decisive and prompt VAR communication.
A stunning moment arose when France initially celebrated a goal against Germany, only to find it disallowed due to offside interference with the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball. VAR demonstrated that an attacking player’s positioning can directly influence the defending goalkeeper’s actions, reinforcing the need for immediate reactions to potentially game-changing plays.
Portugal’s Diana Silva had her equalizing goal ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check led to a verdict that emphasized the limitations of semi-automated offside technology in cluttered situations involving multiple players. This continued a trend seen in the tournament, where VAR’s reliance on older software became evident in its failure to provide timely resolutions.
In the Euro 2025 final, Beth Mead’s initial penalty was celebrated but ultimately ruled out for a specific infraction during her run-up, necessitating a retake—this ruling stemmed from previous regulations designed to clarify the handling of double touches during penalties.
Germany’s match featured a pivotal moment when a penalty awarded for a handball was overturned thanks to new technology that tracks the ball’s movement, clarifying the incident as occurring outside the penalty area. This highlights VAR’s evolving role in refining the clarity of decision-making in football.
Conclusion: The Future of VAR in Football
Finally, in various matches throughout the tournament, we saw a mix of upheld goals and controversial disallowed strikes, reflecting how subjective interpretations of the laws of the game can create inconsistency in officiating.
As VAR technology continues to be integrated into football, Euro 2025 showcased its potential while simultaneously exposing areas in need of refinement and clearer communication with players and fans alike. Expect ongoing discussions about these enhancements in the officiating process as the sport moves forward.
