Pierluigi Collina says VAR faces 'seven-year crisis'

March 06, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Pierluigi Collina says VAR faces 'seven-year crisis'

Legendary referee Pierluigi Collina has delivered a candid verdict on VAR, suggesting the game's once-enthusiastic embrace of video assistance is now facing a "small crisis."

Speaking during the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales, the Italian compared football's relationship with VAR to a marriage that has reached a challenging stage.

In Italy, we say that in every wonderful marriage, there is a crisis after seven years.

So it might be possible that people fall in love with the VAR, and then after some years, as with your wife, you have a small crisis.

His remarks come amid growing frustration from supporters across Europe, with many fans questioning the consistency, delays and perceived overuse of Video Assistant Referee since its global rollout.

Key takeaways

Pierluigi Collina says VAR faces a "seven-year crisis."
IFAB expands VAR to review second yellow cards.
Incorrect corner decisions may soon be checked by VAR.
New rules target timewasting and slow substitutions.
Football trialling a coach-initiated VAR challenge system.

VAR protocol expanded to correct key errors

Despite the criticism, football's lawmakers are expanding VAR's role rather than scaling it back.

IFAB has approved changes allowing VAR officials to intervene in cases where a second yellow card is wrongly awarded.

Previously, the protocol prevented video officials from correcting such decisions unless they involved a straight red card.

The change follows a controversial incident in Serie A last month, when Pierre Kalulu of Juventus was incorrectly sent off against Inter Milan.

VAR will also soon be able to review incorrectly awarded corner kicks, another decision type that previously fell outside its remit.

Collina said the changes reflect how much officiating technology has evolved since its introduction.

When we decided on the VAR trial in 2016, the technology was very different. The protocol was written from scratch and took inspiration from other sports, such as rugby, and video officials had no prior experience.

Today, the situation is very different.

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New anti-timewasting measures introduced

Beyond VAR, IFAB is introducing new rules aimed at reducing timewasting and improving match flow.

From this summer's FIFA World Cup, referees will be allowed to start a five-second countdown if players delay throw-ins or restarts.

Additional measures include:

A 10-second limit for substitutions
Players who delay leaving the pitch must wait 60 seconds before a replacement enters

These rules build on the recently introduced eight-second rule for goalkeepers, designed to stop keepers from holding the ball too long.

Collina said the early results have been encouraging.

The goal is to eliminate, or to eliminate as much as possible, timewasting that hinders the spectacle of the game.

Football moving towards a challenge system

Football could soon adopt a challenge system, similar to those used in tennis and cricket.

The trial - known as Football Video Support (FVS) - allows coaches to challenge refereeing decisions twice per match.

The system is currently being tested in Italy, Malta and Spain, with IFAB preparing to expand the trials to more leagues and competitions.

According to Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, the concept could significantly change how VAR is used.

It changes the dynamic. It reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts the onus on the coach.

Whilst the Premier League remains cautious about some of the new proposals - particularly VAR checks on corners - the challenge system is gaining attention as a possible compromise between technology and the traditional flow of the game.

A crucial moment for football technology

VAR has transformed football officiating over the past decade, but its future is now entering a new phase.

Collina's frank assessment suggests football's lawmakers recognise both the benefits and the frustrations surrounding the system.

Rather than abandoning technology, IFAB appears determined to refine it by introducing smarter rules, faster processes and potentially giving teams a greater role in when video review is used.

Whether these changes will repair the "marriage" between fans and VAR remains to be seen.

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