VAR Discussion Thread - 2023/24 | PL clubs to vote on whether to scrap VAR (pg413)

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I agree with this, I think the way it should work is that VAR can only intervene on:
1. Matters of fact (ball in or out of touch)
2. Mistaken identity
3. Offsides (using semi automated offside tech to speed it up)
4. Alerting the referee to something he may have completely missed (X player punching somebody when the ref’s back is turned) - in which case he is sent to the screen

And here’s a crazy fucking idea - then as well as the above, the referee (not VAR) can initiate a review for things he wants another look at (penalties and red cards). Exactly as it is in rugby, the referee tells TMO what he wants another look at, NOT the other way round. The screen is there to be used as a tool for referees so just give him the ability to request access to that tool.

You know what? I could get behind that. That is a very, very good idea.

 

[halfcenturyup]

I agree with this, I think the way it should work is that VAR can only intervene on:
1. Matters of fact (ball in or out of touch)
2. Mistaken identity
3. Offsides (using semi automated offside tech to speed it up)
4. Alerting the referee to something he may have completely missed (X player punching somebody when the ref’s back is turned) - in which case he is sent to the screen

And here’s a crazy fucking idea - then as well as the above, the referee (not VAR) can initiate a review for things he wants another look at (penalties and red cards). Exactly as it is in rugby, the referee tells TMO what he wants another look at, NOT the other way round. The screen is there to be used as a tool for referees so just give him the ability to request access to that tool.

You could roll 2 and 4 into your last paragraph. If the referee has missed something or isn't sure of identity, the players will be telling him, so he can ask VAR to have a look (in the background if play is continuing - no need to stop).

 

[The Future’s Blue!]

I agree with this, I think the way it should work is that VAR can only intervene on:
1. Matters of fact (ball in or out of touch)
2. Mistaken identity
3. Offsides (using semi automated offside tech to speed it up)
4. Alerting the referee to something he may have completely missed (X player punching somebody when the ref’s back is turned) - in which case he is sent to the screen

And here’s a crazy fucking idea - then as well as the above, the referee (not VAR) can initiate a review for things he wants another look at (penalties and red cards). Exactly as it is in rugby, the referee tells TMO what he wants another look at, NOT the other way round. The screen is there to be used as a tool for referees so just give him the ability to request access to that tool.

That is how we thought it would be, and brought all the fury with regard to the referee not using the screens.

Somehow, that all went out the window and we’re now left with this shit-show where nobody even knows the rules anymore.

 

[Andy TheCatalyst Morrison]

so your saying a player can only be sent off if excessive force is made ?

what if a player tried to do a 'Cantona Kung Fu Kick' on someone and missed ? out of interest.

Seriously? That’s your best example???

Have a look at the Palace players yesterday, they all thought it was incorrect, one of them (Will Hughes) even said it.

The vast majority of people I have spoken to think it was a terrible decision. But let’s just say it was 50/50 - does that meet the clear and obvious criteria? Of course it doesn’t. VAR had no business getting involved in that incident.

 

[benno74]

I agree with this, I think the way it should work is that VAR can only intervene on:
1. Matters of fact (ball in or out of touch)
2. Mistaken identity
3. Offsides (using semi automated offside tech to speed it up)
4. Alerting the referee to something he may have completely missed (X player punching somebody when the ref’s back is turned) - in which case he is sent to the screen

And here’s a crazy fucking idea - then as well as the above, the referee (not VAR) can initiate a review for things he wants another look at (penalties and red cards). Exactly as it is in rugby, the referee tells TMO what he wants another look at, NOT the other way round. The screen is there to be used as a tool for referees so just give him the ability to request access to that tool.

I do completely agree with your 1 to 4.
VAR should not be checking anything deemed subjective, leave all that to the on field ref.
I kind of like the idea behind your extra thought, but think it's not really workable.
If refs had the ability to go watch a replay at any point, they'd never make a decision again, they'd go the screen every time. Games with more stop starts than current.
And imagine the clamour from the fans in the stadium adding to the pressure to get the ref to go take another look at something. It'd get a bit crazy I feel.

I've hated VAR since it arrived (after thinking it would be great before it started), and I accept that refereeing decision accuracy has increased since it was introduced, but in its current format var takes away more than it gives to football

 

[Eebo]

Just casually watched the highlights of the Brentford Wolves game to see Tommy Doyle’s goal but ended up really annoyed with the way VAR is implemented.

Two almost identical tackles, one a red card and the other not - just why??

How is it so difficult to be consistent when it it the same ref, same match, same VAR crew?

VAR should be a good thing and should reduce inconsistency and variability rather than increase it

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

I do completely agree with your 1 to 4.
VAR should not be checking anything deemed subjective, leave all that to the on field ref.
I kind of like the idea behind your extra thought, but think it's not really workable.
If refs had the ability to go watch a replay at any point, they'd never make a decision again, they'd go the screen every time. Games with more stop starts than current.
And imagine the clamour from the fans in the stadium adding to the pressure to get the ref to go take another look at something. It'd get a bit crazy I feel.

I've hated VAR since it arrived (after thinking it would be great before it started), and I accept that refereeing decision accuracy has increased since it was introduced, but in its current format var takes away more than it gives to football

I think your contention is very fair. There’s definitely the risk that it is either overused because refs are scared to get things wrong or underused because they’re scared to look weak or indecisive. Plus different referees using it to different extents could be an issue.

Still, I look at the way things are now and it feels like there‘s unlikely to be a perfect solution - just one that’s the least terrible. So I’ll continue to wonder if this approach might have fewer issues than what we currently have but we’ll probably never find out.

 

[halfcenturyup]

thats true but some of the decisions are ridiculous to 99 percent of football fans so why do they get some so wrong.

I think that is a big problem, actually. Football is a simple game, but it is being made more and more difficult for followers of the game to understand. There are more and more detailed laws and guidelines to try and make decisions more consistent, but what they are doing is detaching fans' understanding of the basic laws from how referees referee.

Offside is a classic case. It's a simple rule to stop attackers from gaining an advantage by hanging around the opponent's goal. Simple. But, they try to describe every possible option for offside, which is, of course, impossible and you get stupid decisions like the Fernandes goal last year because it's not offside according to any of the cases described in the laws. Just forget all that shit. If a player is in an offside position and gains an advantage from it, penalise him.

Same with everything else.

 

[Gray]

Just casually watched the highlights of the Brentford Wolves game to see Tommy Doyle’s goal but ended up really annoyed with the way VAR is implemented.

Two almost identical tackles, one a red card and the other not - just why??

How is it so difficult to be consistent when it it the same ref, same match, same VAR crew?

VAR should be a good thing and should reduce inconsistency and variability rather than increase it

There was a throat grab in that match that resulted in a yellow card.

Good job it wasn’t Rodri doing it ?????

 

[blue by birth]

Jota one would be even more simple i would guess...

Ref - penalty, Jota taking out by keeper'
VAR ' Come and have a second look'
Ref - 'yep there was contact so definitely a penalty '

Don't see what else would be said.

Ref - penalty, Jota taken out by keeper
VAR, Come and have a second look the cheating **** dived.
Ref, yeah definitely a dive but I'm giving a penalty as he's a dipper and it's Anfield.

 

[halfcenturyup]

Jota one would be even more simple i would guess...

Ref - penalty, Jota taking out by keeper'
VAR ' Come and have a second look'
Ref - 'yep there was contact so definitely a penalty '

Don't see what else would be said.

They could, for example, refer to the various considerations of Law 12. There are plenty of things to consider, not just "Was their contact?". These VAR people need to be clearer, more precise and very much more professional about how they come to their decisions. At the minute, it's like listening to three guys in a pub.

 

[stonerblue]

Decisions like that and the Jota penalty on Monday night are just going to encourage play acting and diving in the game

The Palace player there was barely touched but stayed down pretending to be hurt to get a red card……and it worked
No punishment for play acting, it’s encouraged

They already have. Players feigning serious injury allover the pitch

 

[stonerblue]

Referees must hate all this VAR nonsense. It's making their jobs impossible.

Making them look like stumps. And every game now we get a , ''youre not fit toreferee' chant, sometimes off both sets of supporters..

 

[halfcenturyup]

Making them look like stumps. And every game now we get a , ''youre not fit toreferee' chant, sometimes off both sets of supporters..

Tbf, that has always happened. I remember being in the ground as an 8/9 year old in the 60s shouting spectacle related abuse at the referee.

But yes, VAR has hardly helped them at all.

 

[stonerblue]

Tbf, that has always happened. I remember being in the ground as an 8/9 year old in the 60s shouting spectacle related abuse at the referee.

But yes, VAR has hardly helped them at all.

Yes it has, but not every match like it is now.

 

[give it to gordon]

I’m surprised (not) that the PFA don’t get involved here, there all members of the same union yet some are causing fellow members to be disciplined and fined due to their actions, not sure any other work force would allow this to happen.

The media don’t help by not calling the cheating out.

I think the PFA are the weakest union/association in the world.

Every union/association I have belonged to had rules that you shouldnt deliberately get another member in trouble.

Obviously if they were doing something serious you would report them. But you yourself shouldn't be making things up to get a colleague in trouble.

Thing that gets me is at the end of the match they shake hands with the diving fuck cheat. Cant beat Sunday league when they would get twatted in the carpark !

 

[give it to gordon]

I don't understand the moaning about the Calvert Lewis decision.
Was a clear red for me.

Must admit on second thoughts I agree it was a red

 

[bluethrunthru]

whilst they were mostly shit games the televised cup ties with no VAR were refreshing. Players aware of no VAR were much more robust in challenges - refs word was final and the game flowed. Goal scored - goal given - no endless checking - instead of being nearly 2 hours long games ending within 95 minutes - VAR is unnecessary

 

[halfcenturyup]

whilst they were mostly shit games the televised cup ties with no VAR were refreshing. Players aware of no VAR were much more robust in challenges - refs word was final and the game flowed. Goal scored - goal given - no endless checking - instead of being nearly 2 hours long games ending within 95 minutes - VAR is unnecessary

I was thinking of making this point. 16 games played not one headline of refereeing controversy, and games that flow. Let's see what happens today :)

 

[Betterdeedthan red]

whilst they were mostly shit games the televised cup ties with no VAR were refreshing. Players aware of no VAR were much more robust in challenges - refs word was final and the game flowed. Goal scored - goal given - no endless checking - instead of being nearly 2 hours long games ending within 95 minutes - VAR is unnecessary

It just shows how var has totally ruined the game.
On a plus note it'll save me 1000s from not attending games