Rabiot handball before Mbappé goal, how far back can VAR go? | OneFootball

The possible handball by Adrien Rabiot at the start of the move for France’s opener against Morocco has reignited debate over how far back VAR can go to influence a goal decision, after France’s 2-0 World Cup quarter-final win.

Achraf Hakimi passed towards Brahim Diaz, pressed by Rabiot, who won the ball and, surging forward, saw it brush his left arm. Lucas Digne crossed, Noussair Mazraoui cleared, Rabiot headed it back, Désiré Doué found Kylian Mbappé, who curled in in the 60th minute for his eighth of the tournament, exactly 13 seconds after the possible handball, according to L'Équipe.

IFAB protocol states the checked attacking phase ends once opponents regain real control of the ball.

Under that framework, Mazraoui’s clearance did not amount to control, so VAR could still have invited Facundo Tello to review. The team did check that earlier phase despite TV replays not going back that far, and decided the non-call was not a clear and obvious error.

VAR can intervene before the restart to check offside, confirm a given penalty or award a missed one, and any dispute where a goal is scored. For disciplinary matters, such as upgrading a yellow to a red or correcting mistaken identity, it may step in even after play has resumed.

Source: L'Équipe