VAR intervened in the penalty for Hajduk after referee Kolarić awarded a foul.

VARAŽDIN won the match 2:1, with goals from Marija Mladenovskog and Luke Mamić. The only goal for Hajduk was scored by Rokas Pukštas.

The end of the game brought drama. In the 88th minute, after VAR intervention, referee Kolarić awarded a penalty to Hajduk for a foul on Bambi, despite having previously given him a yellow card for simulation.

Layec confirmed that the final decision on the penalty was correct

Bertrand Layec, head of Croatian referees, released a referee's analysis of the first round in which he also discussed the subsequent awarded penalty to Hajduk.

He believes that referee Patrik Kolarić, although well-positioned, made an incorrect decision and that VAR was right to intervene and call for a review of the footage.

In the end, the correct decision was made. We will analyze the situation in full, and you can listen to the communication in the attached video.

In it, VAR referee calls out Kolarić on contact knee to knee after which the main referee changes his decision.

Technical considerations (Rules of Football, regulations): In line with the Rules of Football and our technical considerations, we must take into account:*

  • The defender cannot touch the ball \
  • The movement of the right leg of the defender in relation to the foot of the attacker is clear and creates a obstacle in the movement \
  • Contact with the foot of the attacker is obvious

Expected decision: The Football Referees Commission fully supports VAR intervention and the final decision of the referee on awarding a penalty and cancelling the warning to the attacker for simulation