VAR: The Cure And The Cause.
VAR was introduced to improve the quality of officiating in the Premier League and be the cure for any possible mistakes or missed events.
Realistically, it has been the cause of much debate and anger amongst fans, players and pundits.
Herein, I will detail what I believe to be the biggest issues with the system and small quick fixes that I think would make the world of difference.
Improving Refereeing
Referees’ Chief, Mike Riley, said there will be a high bar before VAR is used, insinuating they would rather have the on-field referee make the calls.
“We don’t want VAR to come in and try to re-referee the game. We actually want it to protect the referees from making serious errors.”
You only have to flick back to Arsenal vs Leeds in the FA Cup to see Alexandre Lacazette appear to kick out at Gaetano Berardi. The referee had run past the event, as such did not see. VAR reviewed the event and decided that no action against Lacazette was required. Now by the yardstick of most football fans, Lacazette should have seen red.
Offside
This has been arguably the most talked about and contentious issue with VAR.
Using trigonometry to adjudge an offside by millimeters does not constitute a clear and obvious error.
Nor does it make for a better game or experience for match-going fans, who are often left in limbo awaiting a big screen to inform them of what is happening.
On 9 November 2019, when David McGoldrick equalised for Sheffield United against Tottenham Hotspur, VAR reviewed the goal for 3 minutes and 47 seconds and it was adjudged that Lundtram’s big toe was offside.
Now there is an argument, particularly with offside, that it is a binary issue.
You are either offside or onside.
However, it is my opinion that when the margins are so small it takes nearly 4 minutes to review and decide, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the attacker.
As fans, we want to see goals and excitement, we want the passion that has made football the most popular sport in the world.
We want football to not have lengthy pauses and the flow or team momentum be broken.
Monitors
Another contentious issue with VAR has been the lack of use of the pitchside monitors.
On-field referees using the monitors to assist/confirm/deny their decisions makes more sense than somebody sat in Stockley Park reviewing things.
The beauty of the referee doing it pitchside is that there is continuity of decision making.
One person is held accountable, one person’s moral compass is used, and the fans have some albeit limited oversight of what is happening.
Gary Neville said this after witnessing a handball decision being overturned in Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow game.
“The referee going over to the monitor is, in my opinion, a far better experience for fans in the stadium and it also feels right the on field referee being given the final call.”
Conclusion
VAR is here to stay.
When used correctly, it could benefit the game.
Teething problems have been plentiful and frustrating. However, we should have anticipated issues whilst it was in its infancy.
There have been improvements, with Hawk-Eye being commissioned to provide fans with more detail of what VAR is checking.
However, this is only a start.
Maybe contrary to what I said above, I agree with the decision to not use monitors for the remainder of this season; rather start fresh next season.
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