New for 2018: VAR

Finally catching up with 20th Century technology (sort of), FIFA will for the first time deploy a video assistant referee (VAR) system at the 2018 World Cup.  This, after introducing goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, after English midfielder Frank Lampard's goal https://youtu.be/gcAH4Qm5M84 against Germany was not confirmed on the pitch at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  The standard for overturning a decision is "clear and obvious error," similar to the NFL's standard of "clear and obvious evidence."  However, VAR is applicable in just four situations -- (1) goals, (2) penalties, (3) red cards, and (4) mistaken identity in carding a player -- in order to minimize disruption and flow of the game.