VAR: Enhancing Drama or Hindering Action?
VAR's introduction in the Premier League has stirred up a whirlwind of debates and controversies, surpassing all expectations Its impact on match dynamics has raised concerns, making it a captivating yet contentious addition to the game
At the commencement of the 2019-20 season, the Premier League's introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) seemed to have resulted in an undesirable outcome regarding its prevalence in discussions regarding match events and its influence on football.
In a perfect game, referees and officials ought to be inconspicuous, intervening only when absolutely required, and ensuring they do not attract excessive attention by making pivotal decisions.
VAR was initially designed as a supplementary tool to enhance the aforementioned ideal, aiming to minimize the occurrence of crucial errors that have the potential to influence the outcome of a game, particularly in a fast-paced and high-pressure sport.
Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero receives a red card from referee Michael Oliver during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Britain on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Tony Obrien/Reuters)
Four years after its introduction to the Premier League, the technology has overshadowed the football itself, diverting attention from Tottenham Hotspur's thrilling match against Chelsea, in which they missed the opportunity to claim the top spot.
Following a match, incorrect decisions are scrutinized and thoroughly analyzed in media conferences and newspaper columns for an extended period, ranging from days to weeks. The focus on the matches, players, tactics, and standings seems to have taken a backseat to an unquenchable thirst for controversy, which is an inherent part of an imperfect system.
The Premier League has not adopted semi-automated offside technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to assist in tracking players' limbs, even though it has been implemented in the 2022 World Cup, as well as in the Champions League, Serie A, and La Liga. Chelseas' thrilling 4-1 victory over Tottenham on Monday exemplified a trend in the Premier League this season, with VAR playing a prominent role. This match saw five goals disallowed, two red cards, and 21 minutes of additional time.
Chelsea's win over Tottenham involved a number of huge VAR decisions.
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
After the match, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the impact VAR is having on games.
"I've expressed my dislike for it previously," remarked Postecoglou to the gathered reporters following the game. "I find the idle waiting and unnecessary spectacle surrounding decision-making distasteful, but I understand that my opinion is rather isolated, as I stand alone in this matter.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: In London, England, a goal by Liverpool's Luis Diaz is being reviewed for offside by VAR on the giant screen during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Revised: The unforeseen blunder that has plunged English soccer into a state of crisis – the elusive objective.
"Throughout my 26-year tenure, I consistently exhibited a willingness to acknowledge and embrace the decisions made by referees, regardless of their quality. Undoubtedly, I have experienced both egregious officiating errors and fortunate outcomes in my career. Nevertheless, I accepted these outcomes as part of the game, simply desiring its uninterrupted progression."
When we constantly complain about decisions on a weekly basis, this is the consequence we should expect. People will thoroughly analyze every detail to ensure they are satisfied with its accuracy, and even after all that scrutiny, we still remain discontent.
So what does this imply? It suggests that we will witness a significant amount of idling, ultimately eroding the referee's authority. One cannot argue that referees currently have control over the games; the control lies elsewhere. However, this is the direction in which the game is evolving, and we must acknowledge and adapt to it.
While Postecoglou may have expressed his criticism of how VAR has altered football matches, acknowledging that he may be a bit "old school," it was somewhat invigorating to witness a manager refraining from lodging complaints regarding the decisions that disadvantaged his team.
Tottenham's victory over Liverpool featured an erroneously awarded goal scored by Jürgen Klopp's team.
Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images
Premier League managers don't appear to possess the trait of being magnanimous about refereeing decisions. After Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Sunday, manager Mikel Arteta criticized the standard of officiating in the Premier League, calling it "embarrassing" and a "disgrace." The club subsequently issued a statement in support of Arteta's viewpoint.
"The Premier League, renowned for its exceptional players, coaches, and loyal supporters, undoubtedly stands as the pinnacle of football leagues worldwide. However, it is imperative for PGMOL to promptly address the officiating standards and prioritize proactive measures that propel us beyond mere post-match analysis, inadequate explanations, and apologies."
CNN has contacted the PGMOL, the governing body for referees in English football, as well as the Premier League, for their input.
Bournemouth manager Gary ONeil also expressed his discontent with referees, stating that he has lost faith in them after his team experienced another questionable penalty decision for the second consecutive weekend. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has previously requested for a match to be replayed this season after his team's valid goal was not awarded against Tottenham.
The implementation of VAR has led to a growing scrutiny of officials' competence, as many fans, players, and managers attribute controversial decisions more to inadequate officiating rather than to the technology itself.
Managers have been critical of VAR this season.
Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images
Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL chief, expressed his disappointment with the current refereeing standard, describing it as "inefficient in both the pitch and the VAR room at Stockley Park." When addressing a user on X (formerly Twitter), Hackett further criticized the PGMOL, stating that there is currently a "lack of leadership and incompetence" within the organization.
Since the introduction of VAR, there has been a consistent demand from fans, players, and pundits for greater transparency in the decision-making process. This desire for transparency is similar to the systems employed in rugby and cricket. However, the authorities have consistently opposed this idea. In response to the chief of the International Football Association Board's claim that broadcasting live VAR communications to fans would result in chaos, Hackett contradicted him by stating, "Lukas Brud, your statement is incorrect."
Going forward, its hard to see the controversy subsiding any time soon. Whatever the Premier League and PGMOL had in mind for VARs development, it surely wasnt this.
