How VAR has changed LaLiga: Less simulation and fewer cards LaLiga Santander Three games in and the reduction in bookings is clear

It is still early in the life of VAR in Spanish football, but referees' president Carlos Velasco is satisfied with its implementation so far and feels that the technology is accomplishing what was promised of it.

Three games into the season and the international break allows for time to reflect on how things are working to date, and the statistics show what VAR has done.

The technology has corrected 10 refereeing decisions in the first three rounds. There have been 29 games, 10 VAR reviews, 364 checked decisions at an average of 12.55 checked decisions per game. Of those only three were reviewed by the official on the monitor and there is an intervention every 2.9 matches, which falls in line with the international average.

There have been seven goals, two penalties and a case of mistaken identity corrected.

An average of 4.34 cards per game is the best record for 27 years in LaLiga Santander as since 1991/92 no season has seen fewer cards shown, while only one of those has been as a punishment for simulation.

Velasco also showed videos and audio clips of real plays as they happened, bringing transparency to the process and also highlighting areas that still need improvement but, in all, it has been "extremely satisfactory."

He also refused to be drawn on Machin's comments from this past weekend wherein he suggested that officiating from VAR was a leisurely day's work, which officials could do while enjoying a beer.

"Machin is a coach that I appreciate and respect," he said. "It is not my job to comment on the plays."

Velasco: "VAR only acts if it considers the decision to be unsustainable

After controversy arose from the Andalusian derby between Real Betis and Sevilla, Velasco offered clarification of VAR's role, explaining that it would only overturn a decision in clear and obvious circumstances of a mistake.

"The first thing with VAR is to know what the referee has decided, he explains what he has done from his point of view.

"From there, they check the information and then there is an opportunity to check, not to re-officiate, but to see if what the referee has done is genuinely unsustainable, if not, there is no intervention."

There will be another evaluation of VAR's use in November.