FFM: VAR acted correctly on FK Tikvesh direct red card
The federation upheld the decision after an elbow to the head in the 25th minute of the fifth-round match.
Published 31.08.2026 19:46 | 210
The Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM) has confirmed that the direct red card shown to a player of FK Tikvesh in the fifth-round First MFL match against FK Vardar was correct.
VAR review and the decisive moment
The incident occurred in the 25th minute when the Tikvesh player wearing number 22 deliberately struck an opponent with his elbow to the head while there was no opportunity to play the ball. According to the FFM, this action met the criteria in the Laws of the Game for a direct red card as serious foul play bordering on violent conduct.
FFM said the VAR intervention in this case was fully justified and correct, following the established VAR intervention line, because the situation had a direct effect on the disciplinary sanction to be imposed.
The federation also commented on a television analyst who repeatedly said, "there is no foul for a red card" — offering, if necessary, to explain the Laws of the Game and refereeing criteria so that the public in future receives expert analysis rather than opinions based on a lack of familiarity with the rules.
The moment was made available online by the organisers.
Photo: press material from the event
