VAR: Is It Ruining Football?
Whether you love it or hate it, VAR has now become an integral part of modern football – it runs the game every bit as much as the referee… and it can make or break a game. It therefore comes as no surprise that the introduction of technology, particularly the Video Assistant Referee, has stirred some seriously intense controversy across the globe in almost every major football competition.
Every single decision can impact everyone involved… the players and managers, the fans and those who have money riding on the latest Premier League odds. One disallowed goal could be a decider.
Diminishing Errors?
The evolution of technology worldwide has inevitably intersected with the world of sports. Obviously, it was introduced with the aim of reducing errors made by match officials, which should only be a good thing. No one likes to see a clear goal disallowed, or a blatant penalty not awarded. However, it’s now evident that many mistakes stem from the interaction between human judgement and the rigidity of this technology. Leading to the question as to whether there should maybe be a little wriggle room.
A Matter of Perspective
A pivotal moment highlighting the impact of VAR was the controversial decision to allow Japan’s goal to stand against Spain during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, ultimately eliminating Germany from the tournament. To many people, the ball looked to have gone quite clearly out of play before the goal… however, by looking at different eagles using the technology, the decision was made that a small part of the ball didn’t actually cross the line – thus the goal was awarded – and thus Germany was eliminated.
Such critical decisions have reshaped leagues and clubs, sparking debates on the pros and cons of VAR.
Technology Can Fail
Another glaring example of VAR’s shortcomings occurred during Sheffield United’s match against Aston Villa in June 2020, in a season where the Blades excelled. Villa’s goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland, clearly carried the ball over the line, yet no goal was awarded.
The technology in use was supposed to activate a signal on the referee Michael Oliver’s watch when the ball crossed the line, but due to the failings in the system, it failed to do so. What’s more, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) stated that VAR intervention couldn’t be initiated due to the lack of a signal to the referee’s watch, a protocol error evident in the footage showing the goalkeeper carrying the ball over the line.
However, this one small glitch and the seemingly minor decision made during the early days of the Video Assistant Referee system had far-reaching consequences. The single point earned by Aston Villa in the 0-0 draw proved enough to keep them in the Premier League the following season and relegate Bournemouth to the Championship – it didn’t just change the match, it changed the entire season for them – and destroyed Bournemouth’s.
We have the more recent example, where Liverpool player Mac Allister was awarded a red card – with the help of VAR.. and the decision was later overturned again, proving that it is still more about the ref than the evidence.
Honesty Not Always The Best Policy
In another instance during the 2020/21 campaign, the clash between Manchester City and Southampton saw referee John Moss award a penalty after consulting VAR. Phil Foden, brought down by Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, displayed rare integrity in the game by admitting the decision was incorrect, yet he was penalised for his honesty. Should VAR really take precedence over the account of the footballer in this instance?
Then we have the continual off-side debacle, where goals can be voided by just a fraction of a millimetre. One misplaced hand or shoulder can see a perfectly good goal disallowed, meaning that many people won’t celebrate a goal until they are sure it will be allowed – that’s not even to mention all the added minutes at the end of the game to compensate for all the checks!
These examples raise questions about the very purpose of VAR. The goal of incorporating this type of technology into football was to eliminate human error, but it often seems that officials still hold sway over decisions. Instead of eradicating these issues, VAR has disrupted the flow of a sport that has existed for well over a century. The question arises: Is it now too deeply ingrained in the game to be removed? Removing it could potentially cast doubts on successes and trophies achieved over the past few years.
Like most things, it comes with good and bad.. It’s a matter of using it for the right – and trying to eliminate these issues, before it really does become more of a curse than a blessing.
