The proposed guidance could allow reviews for second-yellow-card decisions, incorrectly awarded corners and fouls committed before a free-kick or corner, provided the incident directly affects the resulting attack.
That could mean a later goal or penalty is overturned because of an earlier infringement. The interpretation of a “clear and obvious error” would also reportedly be widened, reducing the referee’s final authority in more marginal situations.
The stated aim is to improve the flow of matches through quicker checks, faster restarts and less time-wasting. Yet expanding the list of reviewable incidents risks creating more stoppages, particularly when officials begin examining routine set-piece decisions.
The opposition is especially strong among Premier League fans. A survey of nearly 8,000 supporters, cited in the report, produced stark figures:
The concern is not limited to waiting for decisions. Supporters object to the feeling that every celebration remains provisional and that ordinary football incidents are being placed under constant review.
The debate has therefore moved beyond whether VAR can correct mistakes. It is now about how much authority technology should hold over the match.
Ahead of 2026, IFAB and must prove that broader powers will not produce a more fragmented game. The next season of Premier League testing and the build-up to the World Cup will show whether quicker reviews can win trust-or whether expansion turns resistance into a permanent part of football’s rulebook debate.