FA Chief Mark Bullingham Dismisses Need to Expand VAR: “Current System Has Enough Interruptions”

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has spoken out against any plans to broaden the scope of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, stating that the current implementation already disrupts the flow of matches. His comments come as speculation grows around whether the International Football Association Board (Ifab) might consider proposals to include corner kicks and second yellow cards in VAR reviews.

Bullingham emphasized that while the topic of VAR expansion surfaces regularly at Ifab discussions, the English FA holds a firm stance: no further extensions are necessary. “There’s no need to expand VAR. The number of interruptions in the current model is already significant,” he told BBC Sport.

At present, VAR is limited to four main scenarios: goals, penalty incidents, direct red cards, and cases of mistaken identity. Proposals to add subjective calls like corners and second cautions could dramatically increase the frequency of reviews and extend match durations, something the FA believes would harm the spectator experience.

Despite Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of referees, acknowledging in 2023 that expanding VAR’s scope might be discussed, he also stressed that any change must avoid adding delays to matches. As of now, Ifab has not formally received any proposal for expanding VAR powers. Even if one is submitted, insiders indicate several member associations—including the FA—would likely vote against it.

Under current governance rules, Ifab decisions require a three-quarters majority. While FIFA holds four votes, each of the British football associations—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—has one. The next vote on VAR-related matters could occur at Ifab’s annual general meeting in March, scheduled to be held in Cardiff.

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