Players at the world cup can now be sent off at half time for challenges missed by the referee in the first half

[decapitated]

The article looks at it through the prism of the England team, but I can imagine quite a few teams falling foul of this in the first round of games. I imagine though it might mean the 2nd half is dirtier than the first half.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/03/england-players-given-crash-course-over-new-world-cup-disciplinary-rules

 

Quote

England’s footballers are to be given a crash course in the new disciplinary rules being implemented in time for the World Cup amid concerns behind the scenes that Gareth Southgate’s players do not fully understand the changes that could mean retrospective action taking place in the same matches.

Southgate has held one meeting with his squad to explain there will be a new regulation, to work alongside VAR, whereby match officials can be made aware of incidents that went unnoticed at the time and the relevant players can face yellow or red cards.

That meeting took place on Saturday morning at England’s team hotel when the manager explained to his players that their on-pitch behaviour will be under scrutiny like never before. Referees will now have the powers to take action at half-time, for example, if they are made aware of an incident from the opening 45 minutes.

“Not that we are looking to get away with anything, but if we thought we could that’s gone now,” Southgate said. “We have to be vigilant in all areas of the pitch.

“We’re not 100% sure yet [of the rule] until we have the full briefing on whether this situation – something happening 20 minutes before half-time and then [punishment] being implemented at half-time – is a reality. But there have been tackles in recent games that would be pulled up and might be yellow or red cards. For all our players, it’s something we have to be aware of.”

One example was a two-footed challenge by Ashley Young on Davide Zappacosta during the friendly against Italy in March. Southgate also explained that, in theory, players attempting to con the referees by diving will not get away with it like they have before – and are now more likely to be punished for it, whether that means at the time or later in the same game.

Raheem Sterling was booked for a penalty-area dive in the 2-1 friendly victory against Nigeria on Saturday, just a matter of hours after Southgate had organised a meeting specifically to deal with this kind of incident, but the England manager said he was confident that the players would understand the increased dangers by the time they flew to Russia on Tuesday week.

“They recognised that this is going to come in,” Southgate said, when asked whether the players had grasped the rule changes. “It’s a system everybody is still getting used to and how it’s implemented is going to be key.

“If you look at any corner, for example, and go looking for infringements you could find hundreds. How that is going to be interpreted is going to be really important for the consistency in the tournament.

“I’m in favour [of retrospective action] for the clear and obvious errors because there have been big moments in huge tournaments – the Zidane head‑butt, the Maradona handball goal – that could be sorted out very quickly and would be an asset. The smaller fouls where there’s more interpretation involved, even when it’s been watched two or three times – I think that’s really difficult.”

 

[enigmatic]

Doesn't make much sense if it's only at half time

If you're going to change the principle of the rules allow the ref to send off a player some time after the original incident, you might as well just have it happen at any stoppage in play after the fourth official becomes aware of it. 

[Weezer]

3 hours ago, enigmatic said:

Doesn't make much sense if it's only at half time

If you're going to change the principle of the rules allow the ref to send off a player some time after the original incident, you might as well just have it happen at any stoppage in play after the fourth official becomes aware of it. 

Exactly this. What happens if the ref misses an important incident in the 2nd half? It’s alright sending the player off after the game but that doesn’t help the team that were sinned against and should have been playing with a man advantage. If the technology is there to pick up incidents the referee has missed it should be used immediately upon the mistake becoming apparent. Waiting until half-time makes no sense.

[ArsenalFan7]

This doesn't sound entertaining, second halves potentially ruined by shock red cards. I don't want to be watching a game and then arriving at the second half to find out it will be a one sided affair.

Prompt referees to use VAR if they miss such incidents and deal with them at the time or don't bother at all. I mean the fact a team loses that advantage of however many minutes in the first half they play 11 instead of 10 is stupid enough to mean this should not be a thing. 

As far as I'm aware, this isn't protocol in any of the leagues that VAR is succeeding, at least I haven't seen it. I don't understand why you would introduce it at the World Cup where VAR is going to be scrutinised to a ridiculous degree by fans who already have a preconceived grudge. I can already see the confusion and hysteria at this being used in a big game.

[Mr Wallin]

And yet again the British media goes for the big headline instead of actual facts (or trying to inform the public). This is nothing new to VAR procedure or to refereeing in general even.

In general a referee has to make a decision on something before play has been re-started again and that also holds true when you use VAR. And that will still hold true at the WC.

However for violent conduct (VC) then the referee is allowed (required even) to act and send the player off as soon as he is made aware of such an incident, EVEN if play have been re-started since the offence taking place (example of this is Zidane at the WC final in 2006).
Of course, as always, the referee is only allowed input from a member of the ref crew but the VAR's are now a part of that crew and thus the scope, and time, of what can be missed and the seen has gotten a bit bigger. Though the idea that a VC incident would be missed and then suddenly found 20 minutes later during half-time is a bit of a stretch even with VAR.

But remember that this applies only to VC offences, everything else still needs to be decided (directly or by review) before the next restart (or the end of the half/game).

 

It is somewhat surprising that Southgate have held their internal briefing on this when he/they haven't gotten the official briefing from FIFA as it is fairly clear that they (the NT staff) doesn't fully understand the regulations for this. Shouldn't be surprised by the English FA by now I guess but still.  

[Sons FC]

Are they using VAR for every goal or just for contentious goals?

[Mr Wallin]

3 hours ago, Sons FC said:

Are they using VAR for every goal or just for contentious goals?

Yes and no.    

The VAR's will check on every situation that takes place during a match.

If the VAR's find a situation where they think that it is possible that the referee has committed an error with his decision on the pitch they will then start a review which can be done either as just the VAR looking at the replays while talking to the referee and the referee then makes a decision using the advice from the VAR or it can be done with the referee looking at the replays too on the pitch side screen and then making a decision using his review and advice from the VAR.

The stuff that is done during the "check" stage will never be communicated outside of the VAR room, the result of what happens during the "review" stage will always be communicated to broadcasters and stadium.