1.) 21 Dec 2021
21 Dec 2021 16:15:21
Any form of refereeing, with VAR or not, will produce errors because so much of refereeing is a judgment call and judgment doesn't cease to be required just because there's a second opportunity to see the play. This is especially so with respect to contact. So, while there may be a review, the way the referee first saw and called it has to be proven incorrect before the decision is overturned.

Let's take a look at the contentious calls in the game between Spurs and Liverpool which has no doubt inspired the writing of this article. Without VAR:

1. Tierney, from his vantage point, would not have given a PK for the foul on Jota.
2. Kane would still have received a yellow card only.
3. Robertson would not have had his yellow upgraded.

I agree that it should have been a PK, that Kane should have seen red, as should Robertson, although Kane's offense was worse. With respect to VAR v no VAR, the only real error was that the VAR official did not ask Tierney to take a second look at the Kane tackle. That comes down to the VAR official not the process of VAR itself. Tierney should have been required to review the tackle and live with his decision. There will always be inconsistencies. VAR should have eliminated that one, but without VAR inconsistencies would not go away.

I don't care for the fact that play often goes on too long after a non-call for offside, but weigh against that the number of clearly incorrect number of goals that have or have not been given as a result of VAR. You may argue a few inches, but that proves my point: it's a difficult judgment call that even with a review. Countless clear and obvious errors have been eliminated.

With respect to bias in favor of the big clubs, it often seems to be the case. Maybe the big clubs not only have better players, but better cheaters!

2.) 21 Dec 2021
21 Dec 2021 18:21:32
It's a good post Shaw.
I support var. But there will be opinions and as you say judgement calls that will vary.
Simple changes in the way and when var is used can eliminate a lot of errors.
Personally I think a fre should review every red card decision and ecru penalty award before confirming it. That way the man in the middle takes all accountability for those major game changing decisions.
Offsides are pretty clear.
If they are not clear after a couple of replays goal should stand.
There are laws that don't help as some of them are clear as mud.

3.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 02:03:16
Once called to review, how many refs stick with their onfield decision?

I think the onfield ref feels under incredible pressure to change the decision. I can't remember a decision that wasn't over turned. In honesty I think it gives the pitch ref a sense of relief. A get out of jail in the big moments.

Now they are not allowed to be wrong. The video ref has suggested they just got it wrong. Slow motion or still frame, again and again. The players look like thugs by the end of it.

I am a purist. Let them play. Let the refs make mistakes. Let football have the romance back. Celebrate a goal without to worry it might be over turned, and the crowd will jeer you.

4.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 03:28:49
Shawthing. I don't think I could have thought it better, never mind word it! Great post. I fully agree. It has been irritating me for some time. VAR has not been used properly since it started IMO.

5.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 10:33:00
If your apurist DB why would you be happy for a team to be cheated out of a game when it can be rectified?
Losing a cl final through an honest mistake or deliberate bad call.
That's not pure.

6.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 12:59:38
Lol of course a review and slamming of var was due when Liverpool got a bad call.

{Ed014's Note - you got enough lemons or do you need a few more?

7.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 16:56:28
Ken, because it worked for years and years and made football the game it is today.

Var is taking the emotion out of the game. The instant knowledge that you scored or didn't.

Goal line tech works because it is instant. It is a good addition.

Offsides, handballs, fouls have not really worked for me. I hated watching rugby league when it first came in there, and football is going the same way. We literally changed the definition of handball so that VAR would work. Just crazy.

8.) 22 Dec 2021
22 Dec 2021 18:55:21
The problem with VAR is that it has just highlighted how poor the standard of refereeing is. Supporters have a few decisions go against them and they think it's an agenda, when in reality, it's just down to an unfit body of people who get to review their own decision-making.

9.) 23 Dec 2021
23 Dec 2021 00:46:11
No VAR tonight and Kelleher makes the final save with no feet on the line so with VAR it would have been a retake. Can’t expect a linesman to see it so it was never going to happen but for the laws to be followed VAR was clearly needed.

Odd one because Kelleher had a foot behind the line but the law this season is that a foot has to be touching but it wasn’t. Doubt we will hear too much about this one though, can’t think why!