Video Assistant referring has arguably been the main talking point of the Premier League season and for good reason. It was meant to be the efficient mechanism through which obvious errors were overturned. Instead it has brought further confusion and has considerably slowed down a game that relies heavily on it’s pace and fluidity. In response to criticism, some have defended VAR with the argument that it is in fact referees and their inability to use VAR who are at fault. However, one would think that the competence of officials in terms of their ability to use the new system would have been a prerequisite before it was introduced. This ‘it’s the referees that are to blame’ is being used as an argument in defense of VAR, but in truth it is an argument against it.
One of the main issues with VAR has been it’s exposition of the offside rule. We’ve seen numerous seemingly good goals ruled out because a player has been millimetres offside, if even. The technology isn’t even sophisticated enough to tell for absolute certainly that the attacking player is indeed offside. It’s true that the same software has been used for goal line technology but that is a completely different thing altogether. With goal line technology, you’re simply asking IF the ball crossed the line. When and How is irrelevant. When it comes to offside, officials are tasks with judging WHEN exactly the ball leaves the foot of the passer and where the proposed offside player/players are at this exact moment. With some of the tight calls this year, we’re talking about dealing with milliseconds. There is no technology for pinpointing the exact moment the ball leaves the foot of the attacker and so this is essentially done with the naked eye. This in turn leads to decisions taking ridiculously long. The joy and emotion, heartache and despair that goals brings is lost in this tiresome wait. It’s come to a point where you hesitate celebrating a goal because you fear your joy will be short lived. That is not the football we know and love.
As stated, I think it’s essential that we do not separate the human and technology here. They are obviously interdependent and if one fails the system as a whole fails. Referees making glaring error should not excuse VAR. We have seen a stark inconsistency when it’s come to decisions. Obvious errors have gone ignored while play has been often stopped in more dubious circumstances .This level of inconsistency was easier to stomach when games were governed by referees alone but VAR was meant to mean a more level playing field. It is essentially impossible for football to be 100 % consistent. It’s natural that a game that’s so fast paced and intense results in different interpretations from those tasked with ruling over the game. However, VAR has brought in this false sense of precision and an end to the blatantly obvious errors.
Football is not perfect and that’s fine. Of course, a higher standard of refereeing would be preferable but Var is not the answer. Contentious decisions have always been part of the game and Var has only muddied the waters. It always seems to poke it’s ugly head in when it’s not needed and remain silent when it would have proofed useful. For instance, in the recent draw between Arsenal and Sheffield United, a blatant foul on Pepe seemingly went ignored while earlier in the season Sokaratis looked to have won the game for Arsenal, only for VAR to disallow it for no apparent reason. This level of inconsistency has been displayed throughout the season and if the level of officiating continues to see such little improvement, one has to question what exactly VAR is bringing to the game.
VAR is changing the entire fabric of the game and so far the benefits have been far outweighed by the negative impacts on the game. There is a clear lack of understanding between the mechanics of VAR and the officials and this has led to numerous questionable calls. Perhaps, with time it’s use may improve, but for now, myself and the a large proportion of the Premier League fanbase remain unconvinced and frustrated.
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