Explanation of VAR situations from the matches of the 20th matchday of Cyprus League by Stoiximan.

KARMIOTISSA – PAFOS minute 47th     

REFEREE'S INITIAL DECISION: DIRECT FREE KICK AND YELLOW CARD

VAR: RECOMMENDED AN OFR

REFEREE’S DECISION AFTER OFR: RED CARD

EXPLANATION: A DEFENDER CHALLENGED HIS OPPONENT WITH HIGH INTENSITY USING STUDS WITH HIGH POINT OF CONTACT. ALL CRITERIA ARE MET TO CONSIDER THIS TACKLE AS SERIOUS FOUL PLAY. GOOD ASSESSMENT BY THE VAR WHO CORRECTLY RECOMMENDED AN OFR.  

ENP – OMONIA minute 25th    

REFEREE'S INITIAL DECISION: PLAY ON

VAR: RECOMMENDED AN OFR

REFEREE’S DECISION AFTER OFR: HE KEPT HIS ORIGINAL DECISION 

EXPLANATION:AN ATTACKER KICKED THE BALL TOWARDS THE GOAL. THE BALL HIT THE DEFENDER’S ARM WHICH WAS OUT OF THE BODY. THE VAR CORRECTLY RECOMMENDED AN OFR SINCE IT WAS A HANDBALL OFFENCE.

ANORTHOSI – AEK minute 56th    

REFEREE'S INITIAL DECISION: PENALTY KICK      

VAR: CONFIRMED REFEREE’S DECISION

EXPLANATION: A DEFENDER CHALLENGING AN OPPONENT FOR THE BALL COMMITTED A FOUL INSIDE THE PENALTY AREA. THE REFEREE CORRECTLY AWARDED A PENALTY KICK.

ANORTHOSI –AEK minute 90th+ 6

REFEREE'S INITIAL DECISION:PLAY ON 

VAR: RECOMMENDED AN OFR

REFEREE’S DECISION AFTER OFR: PENALTY KICK

EXPLANATION: A DEFENDER INSTEAD OF THE BALL ACCIDENTALLY KICKED, IN A CARELLES MANNER,  AN OPPONENT INSIDE HIS PENALTY AREA. THE VAR CORRECTLY RECOMMENDED AN OFR.

OMONIA 29 – APOLLON minute 19th 
REFEREE'S INITIAL DECISION:PENALTY KICK   
VAR: RECOMMENDED AN OFR
REFEREE’S DECISION AFTER OFR: DROPPED BALL
EXPLANATION:THE BALL HIT DEFENDER’S SHOULDER, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME IS NOT A PUNISHABLE OFFENCE. THE VAR CORRECTLY RECOMMENDED AN OFR IN ORDER TO CANCEL THE AWARDED PENALTY KICK.