Video Assistant Referee: Controversies from Euro 2025

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has long been a topic of heated debate in the sports world, and Euro 2025 was no exception. Various decisions sparked controversy throughout the tournament, leaving fans and players alike questioning the ruling. Here, we delve into some specific VAR incidents, providing clarity behind the decisions that might have seemed perplexing at first glance.

1. The Penalty Awarded When the Attacker Was Offside

During the match between Norway and Italy, a penalty was awarded in the 58th minute after Ada Hegerberg was pulled down in the box by Elena Linari. The issue? Hegerberg was in an offside position when the ball was played. However, the penalty stood.

VAR Review

Referees ruled that Hegerberg hadn’t engaged with the play until she was fouled. According to the law, a player doesn’t commit an offside offense until they attempt to play the ball or challenge an opponent. Since Hegerberg was not active at the moment of the foul, the VAR decided the penalty was justly awarded.

2. The Offside Decision That Left Everyone Confused

In an incident that left England fans frustrated, Alessia Russo thought she’d put her team ahead against France, only for the goal to be disallowed after a lengthy VAR check.

VAR Review

The VAR detected a marginal offside in the buildup, attributed to Beth Mead. The graphic provided was unclear, with small indicators showing that parts of Mead’s body were technically offside. The complexity and confusion surrounding the decision left many scratching their heads.

3. The Offside When a Defender Headed the Ball

In a dramatic moment, England’s Leah Williamson had a goal disallowed after a VAR review determined that the offside rule had not been reset when Netherlands defender Sherida Spitse headed the ball.

VAR Review

The interpretation of a "deliberate play" played a key role. Spitse was attempting to make a controlled header but misjudged the ball. The VAR upheld the assistant referee’s call, deeming that Williamson remained offside and did not disengage from the play.

4. The Never-Ending Penalty Review

In another tense moment, Denmark was awarded a penalty after Madelen Janogy stumbled over captain Pernille Harder. However, a lengthy VAR review ensued.

VAR Review

The delay stemmed from examining whether Janogy had actually been fouled. Ultimately, the VAR determined that Stine Ballisager Pedersen tripped Janogy, leading to the right decision being made after a prolonged check.

5. The Goal Disallowed When the Attacker Didn’t Touch the Ball

In a game between France and Germany, Geyoro scored, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review revealed an offside infringement by Maëlle Lakrar.

VAR Review

Despite Geyoro’s successful rebound, Lakrar was deemed to have affected the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball, resulting in the disallowed goal. This incident highlighted how presence in the box—even without direct interaction with the ball—can influence VAR decisions.

6. Even UEFA’s High-Grade SAOT Can Fail

Portugal’s Diana Silva thought she’d scored late in the match, but VAR intervened, disallowing the goal due to offside.

VAR Review

The review took longer than expected, illustrating that even advanced semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) can struggle in crowded situations. Lines had to be manually drawn to confirm Silva’s offside status.

7. The Double-Touch Penalty Retake

In the final, Beth Mead slipped while taking her penalty, which resulted in a controversial retake.

VAR Review

Mead’s slip caused her to inadvertently touch the ball with her standing foot, leading to the penalty being ruled invalid. This decision stemmed from new regulations allowing a retake only if the ball enters the goal after such a mishap.

8. Another VAR Red Card for a Hair Pull

In a shocking incident, Germany’s Kathrin Hendrich was sent off after a VAR review confirmed that she pulled the hair of France’s Griedge Mbock.

VAR Review

The act of pulling hair was deemed violent conduct, leading to a direct red card and a penalty. This incident underscores VAR’s critical role in identifying fouls that can easily go unseen in fast-paced gameplay.

9. The Free Kick That Became a Soft Penalty

Georgia Stanway found herself awarded a penalty after being fouled within the box, though initially, a free kick was simply given outside the area.

VAR Review

The VAR confirmed Stanway was indeed within the box, leading to an upgrade to a penalty. While the initial foul was deemed soft, the technical aspect solidified the decision.

10. When the Chip in the Ball Saved Denmark

A potential penalty for Germany was overturned thanks to cutting-edge technology when VAR checked a handball claim.

VAR Review

Equipped with "connected ball technology," the VAR was able to ascertain that the ball hit Denmark’s Frederikke Thøgersen outside the penalty area, affirming the right decision.

11. The Perfect Block Move … Almost

Switzerland’s Svenja Fölmli celebrated a goal, but it was disallowed due to a blocking foul that prevented Iceland’s Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir from defending properly.

VAR Review

The VAR confirmed that Fölmli’s actions directly impacted Vilhjálmsdóttir, leading to a clear violation. The goal could not stand.

12. The Challenge That Left Russo Furious

In a pivotal moment, England’s Russo felt aggrieved after being fouled just before a French goal. A VAR check ensued.

VAR Review

The VAR closely examined the incident but concluded that no foul occurred, thereby allowing the goal to stand. Russo’s insistence on the challenge reflected the emotions players experience in such high-stakes moments.

These detailed accounts of VAR’s interventions during Euro 2025 reveal just how nuanced and complex officiating can become with the technology’s involvement. The debates around these decisions continue, emphasizing the ever-changing landscape of sports officiating.