The red card shown to Jefte in Rangers' loss to Dynamo Kyiv could not be overruled by VAR.

The Brazilian, 20, was ordered off in the second half for a second caution.

Jefte was ruled to have elbowed his opponent in the face in an aerial duel at Hampden - however, replays showed there was nothing in the challenge with the player having won the ball fairly.

Despite this fact, Jefte was dismissed by referee Marco Guida for a second yellow in a decision branded 'the worst in 30 years' by Rangers manager Philippe Clement.

VAR was in use for the Champions League third round qualifying contest - which finished 2-0 to the visitors - but could not get involved in the matter despite replays showing Jefte's innocence. 

The reason for that is simply that a second yellow card is not a decision which can be overturned by VAR.


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VAR can only be involved in four "match-changing scenarios", namely goals and offences in build-up to goals, penalty decisions, direct red card decisions and mistaken identity.

Therefore, there was nothing the VAR officials could do after Guida's decision to send off Jefte for a second yellow at Hampden.

Guidance on the use of VAR in the Champions League reads: "The Video Assistant Referee will only intervene when they have the evidence for a clear and obvious mistake in four match-changing situations: goals and offences leading up to a goal, penalty decisions and offences leading up to a penalty, direct red card incidents, and mistaken identity.

"This includes goals scored after a foul during the attacking phase, or from an offside position."

James Tavernier revealed the referee had explained Jefte was sent off for an elbow. He said: “I spoke to him [the referee] as it happened. He explained that it was an elbow in the face.

"Looking back at it during game time, he gets up really early. I thought it wasn't even a free kick. I thought he got up early. There's no malice to what he’s done.

“It's a 50-50 ball that's going up in the air. Jefte gets up really early. He beats him in the air. I don't know how much contact there is. Obviously that makes a big difference."