New 'VAR Light' approved by FIFA and introduced in European League for new season
A new form of VAR is coming to European football after approval from FIFA.
The technology has been widely rolled out across football across the globe, splitting opinion and continuing to cause mass debate with how it is being applied.
VAR is present in a whole host of major European leagues but it's now emerged that a different system is being brought in by the Welsh FA in the Novira Cymru Premier - the highest level of football in Wales.
The 2026/27 upcoming season will see the introduction of 'VAR light' - described as a "simplified version of full VAR that is seen in other leagues and competitions across the world".
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The premise will still be the same, with correcting clear and obvious errors and incidents that the on-field referee did not see at first glance.
As is the case, VAR officials will be present on site in a control room for all games.
But the major difference is that VAR Light hinges on four core cameras – with two on the halfway line and one on each penalty area line.
How will 'VAR Light' work?
VAR Light is able to be called upon for five key elements of a game, including goals and disallowed goals, incidents in the penalty area, straight red cards, factually incorrect second yellow cards and cases of mistaken identity.
The system will not get involved in yellow cards unless there is a possibility that it may need to be upgraded and there will be no drawing of lines for tight offside calls - only if it is clear.
The same applies to goal line technology as it cannot intervene in case of tight decisions. In addition, incidents that cannot be seen clearly on the available camera angles do not warrant a review.
The Welsh FA provided further clarity on why VAR Light is being brought in, commenting: "It is important to note that VAR Light is not in place to re-referee the game. The VAR can only make recommendations, the on-field referee still makes the final decision after a review of the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
"The only occasions when the VAR will not send the on-field referee to the pitch-side monitor are when the decisions are factual – such as if a challenge is inside or outside the box, or if a player is onside or offside."
An explainer video was also posted online by the governing body to give a visual view of how VAR Light will work.
The Welsh top flight, which features a total of 16 teams kicks off on Friday 31 July with a raft of opening fixtures.
The champions are The New Saints, who have won the league for four consecutive season from 2021/22 onwards.
Former Rochdale and Stockport County winger Jordan Williams was the league's top scorer last term, scoring 26 for the title-winners as they initially qualified for the Champions League first round.
However, an aggregate loss to Sabah saw them drop into the Conference League qualifying round.
Josh Lawless