The Premier League could soon take another step in reshaping how matches are officiated. Howard Webb, the league’s chief of referees, has confirmed that talks are underway with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) about extending the scope of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) to cover yellow card incidents and even corner kick decisions.
Currently, VAR is restricted to four situations: goals, penalties, straight red cards, and mistaken identity. Expanding it to cautions would be the first major change since the system’s introduction in 2019, and it’s an idea that’s already sparking debate.
Webb has acknowledged that, while there’s an appetite to look at possible adjustments, supporters, coaches, and players regularly stress that “less is more” when it comes to video reviews.
Balancing expansion with fan experience
After seven seasons of use, VAR has remained largely the same in the Premier League. Webb recently explained that the technology’s role could evolve, but only if the broader football community feels it’s a step forward.
“The scope of the video assistant referee in the Premier League might be expanded in the future to include decisions on yellow cards and the awarding of corners,” Webb said. “VAR has been in place for seven years and has pretty much stayed the same. If the game, or the people involved, tell us that greater use would be better for the game, then of course I’d be open.”
Adding yellow cards to the mix could mean more stoppages. The concern, Webb noted, is how to strike a balance between correcting mistakes and keeping the flow of the game intact.
For many fans, these discussions also link into the wider matchday experience, including betting. Stories about technology in football often sit alongside where people place their wagers, whether that’s traditional markets or new UK betting sites. Newer sites offer better in-play betting functions and promos. Both elements show how supporters follow every angle of the sport.
Yellow cards under review
Yellow cards may not end a player’s participation in the moment, but they carry weight. A booking can change how a defender approaches tackles, how a midfielder presses, or even how a manager plans substitutions. Over a season, accumulations lead to suspensions that can affect league standings.
That’s why IFAB is exploring whether wrongly given or wrongly missed yellow cards should fall under VAR’s watch. It’s a complicated area because not every caution has the same impact, but Webb has said it’s a conversation worth having.
As things stand in the 2025-26 season, which has only just begun, VAR hasn’t been expanded. But the willingness to keep the door open means change is still possible in future campaigns.
Lessons from recent controversies
Part of the debate around VAR’s scope comes from past controversies that still echo today. Back in October 2020, Liverpool contacted the Premier League to request a formal review of two VAR decisions in their 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton. At the time, the club argued that the calls had directly influenced the outcome and pressed for greater transparency over how the technology was being used.
The “less is more” argument
Since VAR’s debut, the central debate has always been how much intervention is too much. Many managers and players appreciate that mistakes can be corrected, but nobody wants endless stoppages that break the flow of the game.
The phrase “less is more” has become a guiding principle. Supporters often argue that too many checks kill the excitement, while constant delays frustrate both players and referees. Bringing yellow cards into VAR’s remit would only increase the number of situations under scrutiny, which makes the discussions with IFAB critical.
What happens next?
For now, nothing changes. VAR will continue to focus on its four established areas for the rest of this season. IFAB, which meets annually to consider changes to the Laws of the Game, is expected to revisit the subject in its upcoming sessions.
Webb has made clear that the Premier League is willing to listen to stakeholders across the game. Whether the emphasis falls on fairness, flow, or a compromise between the two, any future expansion of VAR will need wide agreement.
The next step is deciding if the added accuracy from reviewing yellow cards is worth the trade-off of more interruptions. Until then, the debate continues.
