Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVideo assistant referees (VAR) will gain new powers at this summer’s World Cup, allowing them to intervene if fouls are committed immediately before the ball is put into play at set-pieces. These new measures permit VAR to step in when a clear foul by the attacking team, occurring before the ball is in play, directly influences a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction. If VAR recommends an on-field review and the referee confirms an offence occurred before the ball was in play, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, and the corner or free-kick will be retaken. Pierluigi Collina, Fifa’s chief refereeing officer, cited England’s goal against Uruguay in March as an example that would now be disallowed, arguing Ben White’s goal should not have stood due to Adam Wharton’s block before the corner. VAR's role is also expanding to review red cards from wrongful second bookings and mistaken identity, while discussions continue on preventing teams from exploiting injuries to break up play, with referees instructed to be proactive. In fullThe VAR rule change set to rule out more goals at the World CupThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

A raft of landmark rule changes will come into force ahead of this summer’s World Cup

Video assistant referees can now step in if attacking team commits a clear foul before the ball is in play and has a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick or disciplinary sanction

Red cards for covering mouths, corner kicks for time wasting and broadened use of VAR technology will be implemented.

FIFA’s refereeing chief cited England as an example of now-forbidden conduct.

Fouls committed immediately before the ball is in play will now come under VAR scrutiny

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