Three key refereeing decisions in the opening match of the second round of the First MFL between FC Shkëndija Aračinovo and FC Sileks.
In the 27th minute of the match, the referee fails to spot an obvious foul on a player of the home team inside the visiting team’s penalty area, close to the line. Following a proper VAR check and intervention, the referee awards a penalty to the home team after an on-field review (OFR).
In the 45+2nd minute, the visiting team scores a goal. The first assistant referee correctly delays the flag signal in accordance with the VAR protocol and, after the end of the attacking phase, signals an offside offence in the attacking phase (APP). In accordance with the protocol, the VAR checks the attacking phase, and confirms the offside decision by the first assistant referee by drawing the offside lines. The visiting team’s attacker is 30 centimetres offside at the moment the ball is passed. A tight offside decision, but the assistant referee’s decision was correct and properly confirmed by VAR.
The third key situation occurs in the 82nd minute, when the referee fails to recognise an obvious foul by a home-team defender. The visiting attacker has full control of the ball when the defender misses the ball and brings down the attacker with a careless foul. Following a VAR check and intervention, the referee is called for an on-field review (OFR), after which he accepts the VAR intervention and correctly awards a penalty to the visiting team.
Once again, FFM’s commitment to implementing VAR technology is reaffirmed, for such key situations that affect the final outcome of the match.
The referees and the refereeing organisation will continue to apply the Laws of the Game and the VAR protocol strictly.
