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Calvo, Alberto LorenzoAuthorChao, Enrique Alonso PerezCorresponding Author

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May 20, 2025
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Article

Evaluating the Impact of Video Assistant Referee Implementation in Football: A Four-Season Analysis of Match Performance Trends

Publicated to: Applied Sciences-Basel. 15 (9): 4789- - 2025-04-25 15(9), DOI: 10.3390/app15094789

Authors:

Akdag, Eren; Isin, Ali; Calvo, Alberto Lorenzo; Chao, Enrique Alonso Perez; Saiz, Sergio L Jimenez; Saiz, Sergio L Jimenez
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Affiliations

Akdeniz Univ, Fac Sport Sci, Dept Coaching Educ, TR-07070 Antalya, Turkiye - Author
European Univ Madrid, Fac Sport Sci, Villaviciosa De Odon 28670, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Alfonso X el Sabio, Dept Phys Act & Sports Sci, Villanueva De La Canada 28691, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Fac Ciencias Act Fis & Deporte, Sports Dept, INEF, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Sports Sci Res Studies, Fuenlabrada 28943, Madrid, Spain - Author
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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system on match performance indicators in professional football, specifically within the Turkish Super League. The objectives were two-fold: (i) to compare match variables such as yellow cards, red cards, goals, penalties, fouls, and offsides between seasons with and without VAR, and (ii) to analyze the evolution of these variables across four consecutive seasons following VAR implementation. A total of 2636 matches were analyzed, comprising 1224 matches played without VAR (2014-2018) and 1412 matches played with VAR (2018-2022). Match data were obtained from InStat Scout (R) and included key indicators directly associated with referee decisions. Statistical analyses included the Independent Sample T-Test to assess differences between the pre- and post-VAR periods, One-Way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests to examine seasonal trends post-VAR, and generalized linear models to identify the effects of VAR implementation on each performance variable. The results revealed significant reductions in fouls, yellow cards, and offsides (p < 0.001), and a significant increase in penalties awarded (p < 0.001) following the introduction of VAR. No statistically significant differences were found for red cards or goals. Furthermore, the number of fouls committed showed a consistent decline across each season after VAR implementation, suggesting a long-term behavioral adaptation by players. These findings underscore the lasting impact of VAR on the dynamics of professional football matches and highlight the need for players, coaches, and referees to accordingly adapt their strategies. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting VAR's role in improving decision accuracy, though its broader implications for game flow and player performance warrant further investigation.
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Keywords

BiaContributesHome advantageIn statsIndependent samplesKey indicatorPerformancePerformance indicatorsReferee decisionReferee decisionsSoccerTechnological aidTechnological aidsTechnologyTurkishsVarVideo assistant refereeVideo technologiesVideo technology

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Applied Sciences-Basel due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 50/179, thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Multidisciplinary. Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q2 para la agencia Scopus (SJR) en la categoría Engineering (Miscellaneous).

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Impact and social visibility

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/88981/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 155
  • Downloads: 548
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Turkey.

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been ALONSO PÉREZ-CHAO, ENRIQUE.

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