Howard Webb says VAR in the Premier League could be expanded to cover yellow cards and corner decisions, with the International Football Association Board reviewing its scope. Currently, VAR only intervenes in goals, straight reds, penalties, and mistaken identity. Webb remains open to broader use but stresses the need to balance accuracy with the “less is more” approach preferred by fans, players, and coaches.
For the 2025-26 season, new rules include in-stadium VAR announcements, only captains speaking to referees on major calls, and goalkeepers holding the ball over eight seconds conceding a corner.
Webb also highlighted rising abuse toward referees, calling it worse than ever, with increased threats and harassment online. He emphasized that disagreement with decisions doesn’t justify abuse and said psychological and family support for officials has been strengthened.
He acknowledged VAR has increased scrutiny and sometimes fuels bias perceptions but noted that many calls remain subjective, and not everyone will agree with the final outcome.
