Can VAR Review a Yellow Card?

No. Yellow cards are not reviewable by VAR. The VAR system operates within exactly four reviewable categories defined by IFAB, and yellow cards are not included. No matter how debatable a booking looks, VAR cannot intervene.

What are VAR's four reviewable categories?

VAR can only check incidents in these categories:

1. Goals — whether the ball crossed the line and whether any infringement occurred in the build-up
2. Penalty decisions — whether a penalty should or should not have been awarded
3. Direct red cards — straight reds for serious foul play, violent conduct, or other red-card offences
4. Mistaken identity — if the referee showed a card to the wrong player

Yellow cards sit entirely outside this list. A booking for a foul, simulation, dissent, or any other yellow-card offence cannot be reviewed, upgraded, or rescinded by VAR during the match.

Can VAR upgrade a yellow to a red?

Yes — but only indirectly. If an incident the referee assessed as a yellow card actually meets the criteria for a straight red (serious foul play, violent conduct, DOGSO), VAR can recommend the referee review it. The upgrade happens because the incident falls within the direct red card category, not because VAR is reviewing the yellow itself.

The distinction matters: VAR reviews the act, not the card colour. If the act deserves a red, VAR can flag it. If it only ever deserved a yellow or less, VAR stays silent.

Can VAR review a second yellow that leads to a red?

No. A second yellow card producing a red card is treated as a yellow card offence for VAR purposes — it is not in the direct red card category. VAR cannot review it. This is one of the more counterintuitive VAR rules because the player still receives a red card, but the process that produced it is off-limits to VAR.

Read more in what VAR can review, the clear and obvious error standard, why VAR didn't overturn it, or test a scenario with the VAR checker.