VAR: Video Assistant Referee. Every week, it seems like another team has had a controversial call made against them due to this technology. Introduced to try and support referees, does it seem to be doing more harm than good?
Just two days ago, we witnessed another blunder with Var as Luton’s Brown kicked City’s Foden in the calf, a potential career-ending tackle. Shockingly, the dangerous tackle received no punishment.
Alan Shearer, all-time Premier League top scorer, commented, “And then for the VAR not to tell him?… For me it’s a clear red card.”
According to ESPN, which is running a live thread of all VAR decisions made this 2023-2024 season, more teams have lost out on VAR decisions than gained. With 9 teams out of 20 in the Premier League on a net score of negative, moreover with 5 teams neutral and not having benefited from it either, only 6 teams have gained this season from VAR (current standings, December 11 2023).
Image: Screen grab of ESPN website. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38196464/how-var-decisions-affect-premier-league-club-2023-24
According to Matthew Davies, Level 7 FA Qualified Referee, “this current season, it does seem to be doing a little bit more harm than good… referees are questioning themselves again.”
It is now the 5th season of the Premier League using VAR. Matthew added, “It does start to feel as though the VAR is re-refereeing the game… you need to find a way to bring the referee who’s on field…they need to be the ones who almost get to look at the role and decisions again.”
Some decisions made by VAR can be argued to be subjective, leading to dissatisfied fans when decisions go against their team. However, it is noteworthy to highlight the incident that occurred earlier this year involving the disallowance of Liverpool’s goal by Diaz. This case has evidence that proves VAR officials were aware he was onside, removing any room for subjective interpretation.
PGMOL video showing incorrect ruling of Luis Díaz goal against Tottenham as offside. Image credit: Premier League
This was described as “significant human error.” Hence, VAR technology is not being used correctly, with PGMOL admitting their mistake after the match.
Thomas Bracewell, another Level 7 FA-qualified referee argued that VAR is the “quintessential of drama…however I do think it would be much better for the game if it were used correctly.”
Thomas added, “Even if it is VAR, it’s still up to the decisions of the referee, and each referee interprets the laws different ways…yes it should be improved but I think even if you improved it you would still get contentious decisions regardless.”
Both Matthew and Thomas did agree that there is no going back, VAR is here to stay in the game. But it needs to be improved before being used more widely.
Caption: Interview with Matthew Davies and Thomas Bracewell, both Level 7 FA-qualified referees. Both share their opinions on the use of VAR technology and its recent controversies.
Additionally, Bryan Bolan, a Level 7 FA-qualified referee, stated, “The pressure on them (referees on pitch) is too much… the people in the back room, the VAR, aren’t up to the job.”
When asked about improvements to VAR technology, Bryan added, “I think it’s alright, the VAR; it’s the people that are sitting there watching it, haven’t got the connection with that referee.”
From a survey I conducted on my Instagram account @pitchsidepassion, I concluded the teams of 88% of my followers (who voted on the poll) had been negatively affected by the misuse of VAR.
The overall consensus seems to be that VAR technology is here to stay in the game. There is no going back, but improvements must be made to both the technology itself and the match officials using it before it can be implemented more widely in the football game.