VAR Light will be introduced in the Novira Cymru Premier from the start of the 2026/27 season.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) Light is a FIFA-certified system that is a simplified version of full VAR that is seen in other leagues and competitions across the world.
It’s aim is to correct clear errors and missed incidents by the on-field referee, with a Video Assistant Referee located on site at every Cymru Premier club in a Video Operation Room (VOR). They operate the replay control and communicate to the on-pitch referee as to whether a review is needed.
In the Novira Cymru Premier, VAR Light will utilise four core cameras – two on the halfway line and one on each penalty area line. In fixtures broadcast live by S4C, the additional broadcast cameras will also be utilised for VAR Light reviews.
VAR Light can intervene in five elements of a game:
- Goals and disallowed goals. Every goal will be checked by the VAR.
- Penalty area incidents. Any challenge or decision that is made inside the 18 yard box.
- Straight red cards. This includes incidents where a player has been shown a red card or commits an offence that could be worthy of a red card.
- Factually incorrect second yellow cards. For example, if a player is shown a second yellow card for stopping a promising attack for a handball offence, and the ball clearly hit the chest, then the VAR can intervene.
- Cases of mistaken identity. When a referee has shown a yellow or red card to the wrong player. This can be a player on the same team or the opposition team.
However, VAR Light cannot intervene in the following incidents:
- Yellow cards (unless the challenge is a potential red card offence).
- Match restarts, such as foul throws or a corner taken outside the quadrant.
- Offside line technology. While VAR Light can correct clear offside decisions, there is no ability for the VAR to draw lines to clarify tight calls.
- Goal line technology. While VAR Light can correct incidents where the ball has or has not clearly crossed the goal line, there is no ability to clarify tight decisions.
- When clear images are not available. If an incident cannot be seen clearly on any of the camera angles available to the VAR, it cannot be checked.
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.
