Now that we’ve seen the video assistant referee system (VAR) in action a few times, guess it’s time to have a quick chat about it be interesting to hear what ya’ll think, but here’s my take.
Referee chief Mike Riley stressed last month that VAR should only ever be used in the event of a “clear and obvious” error. I don’t understand this.
At the moment, VAR officials are spending too long looking at fractional decisions and trying to make the correct call.
This isn’t what VAR should be for.
Juan Mata’s goal against Huddersfield last week was called offside because half his knee cap could be seen (probably with the help of a magnifying glass) what kind of technological bulls*** is that?
I mean, whatever happened to giving the attacker the benefit of the doubt?
CHALKED OFF: Juan Mata’s goal against Huddersfield
If the little man got robbed of (what I believe) was a perfectly good goal, then VAR should be used for obvious referee errors, like missing a bad tackle, violent conduct, handball and disputed corners and throw-ins.
I sat for a good few minutes thinking “what the eff is going on here?” while the anoraks analysed the replay, only to come up with a dodgy decision.
Perhaps the debating should be kept to a maximum of 30 seconds. If you can’t decide either way within that time, then the original decision should stand.
The time spent on pending decisions also plays an effect on game momentum.
I was really pleased that they made a massive mistake by broadcasting the VAR image of wiggly lines across the pitch. What was that?
Hopefully the lack of confidence it induced will put the whole idea back in the lab where it belongs for a while longer.
For me, if you’re going to introduce a system or rule that could revolutionise the game, make sure the thing works, for god’s sake, and make sure the directive is absolutely 100 percent clear to everyone.
I was sceptical about the backpass rule, goal-line technology and the adjustment off the offside rule, but to be fair, all have worked.
But I can tell you, this VAR bulls*** is different. We love football because of its intensity, its drama, its controversy, the banter, debates and fights we have following a game.
POCKETED: Hazard marked out by Scott McTominay
Do we really want a completely sanitised version? A stop-start bore, a game without character or characters?
I’d prefer to watch Bold and the Beautiful.
Anyway, as it turns out, my musings regarding VAR as I sat writing on Sunday morning turned out to be irony of the highest degree.
Despite hitting the bar in the opening few minutes, Alvaro Morata was useless, but what he did do was score a perfectly good equaliser.
Where the f*** was VAR when you need it? He was onside (as the replays showed) costing Chelsea a vital point. And what’s up with United fans trolling me on Twitter?
All talking about how Scott McTominay had Eden Hazard in his pocket?
I like the youngster, much like I rate Chelsea’s equivalent, Andreas Christensen - brilliant youngsters showing their value at the top end.
He did do well against Hazard, but did they all miss his massive blunder? Opening up a free path for Willian to score the opener?
Come on people, let’s reflect fairly, watch the game a bit more carefully before laying your k@k on me OK, yes, I’m pissed off.