Time for EURO 2024 VAR decisions averaging less than a minute and quicker than in Champions League

Referee Umut Meler, who will officiate England v Slovakia, gestures as he disallows the goal scored by Romelu Lukaku of Belgium after a handball decision via a VAR Review, during the EURO 2024 group stage match between Belgium and Slovakia in Frankfurt

Referee Umut Meler, who will officiate England v Slovakia, gestures as he disallows the goal scored by Romelu Lukaku of Belgium after a handball decision via a VAR Review, during the EURO 2024 group stage match between Belgium and Slovakia in Frankfurt Credit: Photo by Ryan Pierse - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Macdara Ferris reports from Berlin

During the group stages of EURO 2024, there has been 20 VAR interventions, with the time for a VAR decision averaging 51 seconds - five seconds quicker than in the Champions League.

UEFA managing director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti gave an update to the media on Friday ahead of the start of the last 16 ties this weekend.

During the group stages there were eight on-field VAR decisions, with 12 direct reviews.

One advantage of VAR for those in the stadiums, including the media, is that the decisions are being explained on the stadium big screens, allowing everyone to better understand what is happening in front of them.

“It’s a live technical explanation, not easy to do, but this is very positive,” Rosetti explained. “In the stadiums, everything is much clearer because we have an explanation on the big screen of what’s going on on the pitch, and in the VAR.”

EURO 2024 in stats

  • Average time in play per match: 59:10
  • Average substitutions: 9.1
  • Total fouls: 808 / 22.4 per match
  • Yellow cards: 166 / 4.6 per game
  • Red cards: 3
  • VAR corrections: 20

Rosetti also spoke positively of the discussions between the referees and the team captains out on the pitch during.

“The process is positive. The referees are giving information to the captains, who are responding in a very positive way,” he said. “For the other players, it’s easier, they don’t go to the referee, they don’t mob the referee, so this is something that’s extremely positive for football.

“I spoke with top players after the games and coaches, I wanted to know their feedback and everyone is happy.



“We had some sanctions for players who didn’t respect this, it’s a transitional phase, but we have already received requests from national associations in Europe who want to follow this line. This will be implemented in all UEFA competitions, and we are happy that the national associations want to follow.”

UEFA have confirmed the referee line up for the last 16 ties:

Switzerland vs Italy – Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Germany vs Denmark – Michael Oliver (England)
England vs Slovakia – Umut Meler (Türkiye)
Spain vs Georgia – Michael Oliver (England)
France vs Belgium – Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
Portugal vs Slovenia – Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Romania vs Netherlands – Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Austria vs Türkiye – Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile