Video assistant referees will have new powers at this summer's World Cup to intervene if fouls are committed by the attacking team just before the ball is in play at set-pieces, the International Football Association Board (Ifab) has announced.
The change allows VAR to recommend an on-field review if a clear foul before the ball is in play directly impacts a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction. If the referee determines an offence occurred, the set-piece will be retaken and appropriate disciplinary action taken.
Former top official Pierluigi Collina, now Fifa's chief refereeing officer, cited England's goal in their 1-1 friendly against Uruguay in March as an example that would be disallowed under the new protocol. Collina argued that Adam Wharton's block on defender Jose Maria Gimenez before the corner was taken made Ben White's goal unfair.
VAR's role is also expanding to review red cards from wrongful second bookings, mistaken identity involving a second yellow, and wrongly awarded corners instead of goal-kicks. Fifa is also addressing teams using injuries to break up play, with referees instructed to prevent players leaving the field for tactical discussions.
