Dion Drena Beljo scored the second goal for Dinamo against Hajduk in the 65th minute of their 2-0 Saturday victory. Just ten seconds prior, Beljo had improperly taken a free kick after a foul in the center of the field. Referee Patrik Pavlešić from Duga Resa allowed the play to continue despite being near Beljo at the time. After the goal, Pavlešić requested a video review from the VAR room, where Dario Bel and Luka Pajić were located.

However, VAR protocol does not allow the main referee to review the monitor for such situations, as confirmed by Bertrand Layec, the head of the refereeing organization, in an analysis on the official HNS website. Dario Bel was aware of this, but it appears that Patrik Pavlešić, the on-field decision-maker, was not, as evident from the communication released by HNS on YouTube.

In the recording, Pavlešić can be heard saying he will speak with the VAR room and call them to review if the ball did not stop. The goal was eventually recognized, but the VAR protocol was respected. This goal did not affect the final outcome of the match, but it highlights the need for further clarification in refereeing protocols.

Transcript of the communication between Pavlešić and Bel:

Pavlešić: "It's okay, it's okay! Play, play!"

Bel: "He's crazy!"

VAR room: "Watching inside (by the center spot for Beljo).

Pavlešić: "Can, can, can. Goal, goal, goal! We'll see, we'll see."

Bel: "Nothing, let him go."

Pavlešić: "Marko is here, okay. Just move them away from me. I'll talk to him, okay. If it didn't stop, he'll call me. Okay? That's it. Come on."

Lovrić (fourth official): "Come and talk to the club here, Patrik. Come and explain nicely to the main coach. He says the ball moved."

Bel: "They say the ball moved."

Pavlešić: "Dario, did it move or did it stop?"

Bel: "What do I tell you now?"

Bel: "There's no snow there. Yes. And the next one too."

Pavlešić: "If the ball stops, we have nothing to talk about."

Lovrić: "Come and talk, come and talk."

Bel (to the assistant VAR official): "Unfortunately, I cannot call him to review it according to the rules."

Pavlešić: "Dario, can you hear me?"

Bel: "We can hear. When I talk, you know what's happening. Let's move on."

Pavlešić: "Is it a goal?"

Bel: "We are confirming your goal number nine."

What did Layec say?

"After the offense against the home striker number 9, the referee allowed the player to quickly take a free kick, resulting in a subsequent goal. The video shows that the free kick was not taken according to the Laws of the Game, as the ball must be stationary before the kick. According to VAR protocol, the referee cannot be called back to review and correct this error," stated Bertrand Layec.