19 Apr 2026 18:19:42
So var only intervenes when anyone but Arsenal and city are playing

How Var was not in the ref ear shouting possible red possible red hear or sending the ref to the camera proves its a farce.

LM pulled a bobbin from DCL hair and the ref got sent to the screen

Absolutely a joke I hope grabrielle gets the draw now.

1.) 19 Apr 2026
19 Apr 2026 21:05:39
They literally make it up as they go from game to game, sometimes even in the same game. Little point trying to work them out, and they'll never admit a f up either.

2.) 20 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026 09:15:07
There was a thread the other day about the standard of refereeing and VAR, and I commented that it is really difficult to believe there isn't an agenda against United when you look at the list of incidents that have gone against United, and similar ones involving others have been dismissed or ignored. The worst thing about the incidents this weekend was that it was the same individuals involved. John Brooks was on VAR when Martinez was sent off for violent conduct, and he was VAR for the Gabriel incident.

Paul Tierney, who sent Martinez off, didn't send off Outtarra for his hair pull on Bassey.

They've also sent out a rubbish message that players won't get sent off now unless they go down, and this is the reason we see diving in the game. I honestly believe that the standard of refereeing has never been this low.

3.) 20 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026 14:26:43
Agreed. VAR has made the standard of refereeing worse. It's easier for refs to let things go because they think VAR will intervene if their mistake is obvious, but the people operating VAR are reluctant to overturn their pals' decisions unless they absolutely have to.

Is there an agenda? I want to believe that it's just incompetence, but the complete lack of consistency, and the fact that clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal are forever getting favorable decisions, while we're repeatedly getting shafted, does make me wonder sometimes.



Either way, VAR and the inconsistency of refereeing decisions in general are ruining the Premier League. Something needs to be done.

4.) 20 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026 17:28:57
I think all sides have had bad ones against them, and have got away with a few also.
I do not like VAR at all.
But, if you were to ask me, what has more of a negative impact, VAR or players behaviour/cheating, Id say player behaviour is a bigger problem than referees and VAR.

Just my opinion as a viewer.
Players attempt cheating pretty much every min of every game. Coaches are also not exempt, as they are as bad as the players most of the time.

{Ed025's Note - i agree Ken..

5.) 20 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026 19:19:24
I don't disagree with you, Ken, but players cheat because refs and VAR allow them to get away with it. All the talk today has been about if Haaland had gone down, Gabriel would have got sent off. That surely can't be right? Players don't get penalties when they stay on their feet, so they are being encouraged to go down.

There is a box managers have to stay in. Some managers are up and down the touch line all game. They step out of it, book them.

Refs, VAR, 4th officials have all the technology now to support them and prevent all this behaviour, but they fail to apply the rules or discipline. Yes, players and managers have a responsibility, but the stakes of winning now are so high, naturally, you will try to gain any advantage you can, which is where officials need to manage and control the game. If the technology wasn't there then you could accept what a difficult job they have, but it is there now.

6.) 20 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026 19:34:34
While some look at the obvious inconsistencies with VAR (sometimes even during the same game) and see that as potential corruption, I don't think it's intentional cheating or fixing of results (although you can't rule it out).

Nor do I think referees can really be that bad or stupid, to make such contrasting decisions and genuinely believe they are right on both occasions.



However, they were adamantly against VAR when it was first proposed, and they have pretty much been forced to use it against their will. So, with that in mind, do I believe the referees would, in good faith, try their best to make it work? Or would they, even subconsciously, want it to fail?

7.) 22 Apr 2026
21 Apr 2026 23:50:27
Are you in a rush to be somewhere, Shaps? ?