Video assistant referee decisions were central to three dismissals in Mexico’s World Cup opener against South Africa, with former Select Group referee Andy Davies explaining the VAR protocol and how it applied in each case. Davies, who spent more than 12 seasons on the elite refereeing list and has experience as a VAR, provided the match analysis.
At 49 minutes, South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was shown a red card for denying a goal‑scoring opportunity after bringing down Mexico’s Brian Gutiérrez, who was through on goal. Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio issued the dismissal and VAR Nicolás Gallo Barragán reviewed and upheld the decision. Davies called that ruling “relatively easy” and noted Sithole was the first player to be sent off at this World Cup.
At 84 minutes, Themba Zwane received a red card for violent conduct after his hand struck Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado. The referee did not initially send Zwane off but changed the decision following a VAR review. Davies described the outcome as harsh, saying that while contact to the face can be judged violent conduct and therefore carries the risk of a red card, the referee’s time at the pitchside monitor suggested he was not fully convinced before reviewing the replay.
In stoppage time, Mexico’s César Montes was dismissed for denying a goal‑scoring opportunity after clipping Khuliso Mudau just outside the box. The referee showed a red card and VAR upheld it. Davies said he was surprised by the on‑field red because he did not view the situation as an “obvious” goalscoring opportunity — he believed Mudau’s next action was more likely to be a cross than a shot — but added that VAR would be unlikely to overturn the call because it did not meet the threshold of a clear and obvious error.
Davies’ explanations aimed to clarify how VAR protocol and the laws of the game were applied in each incident and illustrated the balance referees and VAR officials must strike between subjective judgment and the standard for intervention.
