Investigation of the Reflections of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology on Professional Football Disciplinary board decisions

The aim of this thesis is to understand how the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is reflected in the decisions of the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) and to examine whether this technology creates any change. In accordance with this purpose, comparison of disciplinary violations detected in Super League competitions in general and direct send-off decisions to PFDK decisions was carried out within the scope of the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons, the first two seasons where VAR technology was used in the Super League, and the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons, the last two seasons where VAR technology was not used. In the study, which was designed as multiple case-embedded design, one of the qualitative research designs, PFDK decisions for the four seasons between 2016-2020 were collected by document analysis. Categorized decisions were analysed with the help of content analysis and the Disciplinary Punishment Score and Deterrence Rate equations created by using the literature within the scope of this study. As a result of the findings of the study, it has been found that the frequency of disciplinary violations in the four-year process between 2016-17 and 2019-20 has been developed in the period and 300, 354, 409 and 512 disciplinary penalties were sentenced, respectively. In the same period, it was determined that there was an increase in direct send-off decisions, and 17, 33, 33 and 32 disciplinary penalties were given, respectively. In terms of the severity and deterrence of penalties, it has been observed that there is an increase in serious foul and violent behavior violations, and a decrease in insults and assault violations. Within the framework of the protocols of using VAR technology, it has been found that it has become an important evidence tool for PFDK with its effective and efficient use in catching violations, helping the referees to make clearer decisions during the tense periods of the league. As a result, it can be stated that VAR technology, as a technologically multifunctional tool, helps referees to apply the rules in decision-making processes and is included in the wheels of football disciplinary law. Keywords: Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK), Sports Law, Sports Technology, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Technology.