The introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in English football has been controversial from the start, and it’s clear that it hasn’t won ov
The introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in English football has been controversial from the start, and it’s clear that it hasn’t won over many supporters or clubs. Unlike sports like rugby, cricket, or tennis, where video reviews are visible to fans in the stadium, VAR’s process in football often leaves fans frustrated. Spectators frequently experience the disheartening scenario of celebrating a crucial goal, only for it to be disallowed minutes later.
Given this discontent, it’s not surprising that Wolverhampton Wanderers have proposed a motion to abolish VAR, with a vote anticipated later this week.
Despite years of implementation, VAR still lacks the efficiency to be deemed fully effective. The prevailing argument is that the issue lies more with the operators of the technology than the technology itself.
Premier League co-creator Jon Smith predicts that VAR will persist, despite some opposition, and suggests it is likely to see improvements. Speaking to CaughtOffside, he expressed his belief that the technology will not be scrapped due to substantial support for it.
“The main problem is the way decisions are communicated and the time taken to reach them,” Smith commented. “The World Cup demonstrated a faster system, which should be adopted. Officials need to display the decision-making process on screens in the stadiums, involving the fans rather than keeping them in suspense.”
Smith also highlighted the need to adjust the criteria for offside decisions, suggesting that the “clear and obvious” standard, which was the original intent of VAR, should be more prominently applied.
The technology used during the 2022 World Cup, known as Semi Automated Offside Technology, was expected to be introduced in the Premier League by the 2024/25 season. This system is reputedly faster and more precise than the current one employed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Implementing this updated technology might be crucial in ensuring that the motion proposed by Wolves is rejected.
There’s a valid argument for returning to pre-VAR methods, with all their inherent errors, as a more organic way of officiating matches. However, with most other sports utilizing some form of video review, football risks falling behind if it abandons VAR altogether.
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