VAR thread 2022/23

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I reckon he has done us a favour. That decision was so embarrassing to the PL/VAR, that any chance of shafting us next week against Spurs is now right out the window. We will probably see just how VAR should work in the next weekend's games.

Watch this space...

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Totally with you on how VAR makes fans feel and it’s in dire need of more clarity and transparency to allow more fans to trust the process.

When it first came out, there were interviews, I think with Neil Swarbrick, who said Stockley park had no commentary and only had the cameras to work with, along with talking to the referee.

We only have his word for that though as we’ve not heard any different.

It's also unprovable - they could show an example with no sound, and some would say "what about the other matches"?

I don't see an easy way round it - the transcripts are a start, fewer overturns onfield would help, a clear statement on what the TV comms see/hear of the process (we only have Neville having admitted to hearing it a couple of months ago). I think they probably need to show a full recording of an incident though - the VAR is clearly in contact with the TV companies in order to get replays and angles.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Who is suggesting there is one big conspiracy? What most fans are worried about is the level of incompetence. We are seeing absurd blunders week after week. There appears to be no accountability or transparency operating. How do you know the VAR team can't hear the TV commentary? Have you been inside Stockley Park? We are the fans who pay thousands a year for season tickets and broadcast packages but we can't even see how the officials are operating.
Why does PGMOL not have a website and has no explanation of how VAR is being implemented?
The only reference I can find on the official PL site is the one below which has not been updated for more than two years and has no detail about the actual process. For example it says the VAR will "review the broadcast coverage." Whose broadcast covderage and who decides which angles they get?

VAR - Frequently Asked Questions

Find out how Video Assistant Referees assist on-field officials

www.premierleague.com

All good questions.

I suspect the lack of website for PGMOL would be replied to as "we are a private company and have no need to show our working".
Which loops round to why they are paid for by the PL, and not the FA.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

It's also unprovable - they could show an example with no sound, and some would say "what about the other matches"?

I don't see an easy way round it - the transcripts are a start, fewer overturns onfield would help, a clear statement on what the TV comms see/hear of the process (we only have Neville having admitted to hearing it a couple of months ago). I think they probably need to show a full recording of an incident though - the VAR is clearly in contact with the TV companies in order to get replays and angles.

Agree with most of that barring the last bit.

If fans knew the rationale behind the decisions, I think it’d go a long way to making fans more accepting.

 

[stonerblue]

A question. When multiple games kick off at 3pm are all the VAR officials in the same building or room? Only just dawned on me but the decision could be being discussed between multiple refs before deciding.

I never thought of that but very good question. How big is Shockley park

 

[MillionMilesAway]

What would your thoughts be on specifically trained VAR referees who were better at using technology, but less experienced in actual refereeing?

It‘s merely a though that’s just gone through my head.

Maybe Mason is useless at using technology and that’s made him make an awful decision.

I'd prefer them to be totally separated from the onfield refs. No friendships, no hierarchy.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It's also unprovable - they could show an example with no sound, and some would say "what about the other matches"?

I don't see an easy way round it - the transcripts are a start, fewer overturns onfield would help, a clear statement on what the TV comms see/hear of the process (we only have Neville having admitted to hearing it a couple of months ago). I think they probably need to show a full recording of an incident though - the VAR is clearly in contact with the TV companies in order to get replays and angles.

They say the TV firms don’t talk to the VAR team but they must do because the broadcasters own the footage and manage the camera angles. I trust referees more than the broadcasters who we know are partisan for certain teams.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I'd prefer them to be totally separated from the onfield refs. No friendships, no hierarchy.

It should just be that they aren’t there to validate the ref’s decisions at all costs.

Even then, they send the refs to the monitors to disallow goals for the wrong reasons!

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Ok, if he wanted to shaft Newcastle, why?

He can’t have not seen the push on Willock yet it didn’t enter his thought process. That makes him unfit to be a referee or he’s not understood how to use VAR properly.

He rightly advised that the goal shouldn‘t stand, but not advising about it being a penalty is either because he’s inept or that he didn’t think VAR should get any more involved.

It was stated that the onfield ref was not shown the reverse angle which showed the push was clear. That is basically unforgiveable.
If VAR didn't have the angle to review, there has to be a question as to why not.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

All good questions.

I suspect the lack of website for PGMOL would be replied to as "we are a private company and have no need to show our working".
Which loops round to why they are paid for by the PL, and not the FA.

There are not many large organisations who are so secretive they don’t have a website. That tells its own story about the lack of transparency. What about their finances?