Over the course of the past few years, VAR, or video assistant referee technology has left many football/soccer fans torn over whether technology truly has a place in the game. This VAR technology was originally created to reduce human error when making decisions regarding fouls and penalties. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that VAR technology is causing more harm than good throughout the sport. As a result, VAR has changed the natural flow, emotion and overall experience of the average soccer match, which are core components of this historical sport.
All soccer fans and
players have had an experience with a bad referee at one point or another.
Whether it be a late or questionable offside call, a game-altering red card, or
a penalty decision that changes the momentum of the game, these errors have haunted
the sport since its creation.
One notorious instance of
these pre-VAR problems occurred during the 1986 World Cup match between
Argentina and England. Diego Maradona solidified himself in the history books
and the Argentinian soccer religion by scoring his infamous “Hand of God”
goal, which knocked England out in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. Many
have argued that if VAR technology had existed then that England would have
gone on to win the World Cup.
Recent English PremierLeague (EPL) statistics show that VAR has improved correct referee decisions
from 82% before the technology was introduced to 96% after being utilized –
however there were still 17 instances where VAR failed to intervene (missed call),
2 “subjective errors” where VAR intervened where it was determined it should
not have, and 1 “factual error” where VAR communicated the wrong decision to
the referee on the pitch, leading to the wrong decision being made (source).
Premier League officials
have often stated that VAR was created to bring clarity to the referee’s
decision-making process. Ironically, it has done the complete opposite. The VAR
process stops the game in its tracks, leaving fans, players and coaches alike
left in suspense while they await the potentially game-altering decision. This
kills the natural flow and spontaneous nature of soccer which makes it unique
from other sports.
As a result of these
problems caused by VAR, half of English football fans believe that it has a
negative impact on to fans who attend the match (source).
This goes hand in hand with 44% of fans from all age groups agreeing that it
has a negative impact on football/soccer in general as compared to the 37% who
say it has a positive impact.
The problems with the use
of this technology are highlighted when looking at how other sports use
technology to assist with decision making. In tennis, the former Cyclops system
was replaced with the new Hawk-Eye technology which determines whether the ball
is in or not instantly. This allows the game to flow smoothly and maintain a
fast pace, unlike VAR.
Similarly, the MLB has
embraced this technology in a more balanced way. While the MLB has been
utilizing video reviewing assistance for certain plays, the human factor and
decision making remains at the core of the game. Umpires have the final say and
are still responsible for calling balls and strikes, with the technology used
as a supplemental aid rather than a replacement.
Ultimately, the biggest
issue with VAR in soccer is that it leads to over analysis. It takes away from
the natural flow of the game and takes away the integrity and importance of the
referee on the field, which used to be one of the most important aspects of the
game: its unpredictability.
If VAR continues to have
a place in the game, it needs serious reform so that these errors and lengthy
decisions can be addressed effectively. Fans must make sure to implore
officials for there to be a balance between technology and officiating so that the
technology aids the game without dominating it.
Perspective by Mason Gough
Sourced from the Evening Standard
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