It is not VAR that slows down World Cup matches

One of the argument against Video Assistant Referees (VAR) is that it will slow down the game of football as it continues to check replays before calling the on-field referee to look at a certain replay.

However, FiveThirtyEight’s research showed that VAR is one of the least responsible aspects when it comes to slowing the game down.

Free-kicks and throw ins are the culprits which consumes the most time and forces referees to add more stoppage time.

Almost eight minutes of each game is spent waiting for the ball to be thrown inbounds while an additional six minutes per game is spent waiting for the keeper to take his goal kicks.

How much time each type of stoppage has taken up per World Cup match, on average?

Stoppage Type                                  Average min. per match

Free Kick                                                              10.29                    

Throw in                                                              7.50

Goal kicks                                                            6.03

Corner kicks                                                        4.14

Injury                                                                    4.10

Substitution                                                       3.03

Goal celebration                                               2.55

Booking                                                                0.55

Dissent                                                                 0.36

Penalty kicks                                                      0.33

VAR                                                                       0.31

Warning                                                               0.17       

Altercation                                                          0.05