VAR

[JV24601]

I'm surprised not to see a thread on VAR yet, so thought I'd start one.
Heard some brilliant debates on it the last couple of weeks, but in summary, here are my thoughts on it.

- VAR is great for football and needed
- the definition of offside is the real problem. There should be clear daylight between players, not a toe or a knees length
- the new handball rule is absolutely stupid and needs sorting out too, punishing only clear and obvious handballs
- VAR should have every angle available to them. I've heard that they don't have access to a lot of views/angles, which I thought was barbaric


What are people's thoughts on it?
I'm not a fan so far and would want rid of it if they don't make the above changes (which aren't actually the fault of VAR).

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I like it but it can only work to the parameters given. It is enforcing the offside rule and handball rule for example, nothing more. If people object then change the rules, not the people or VAR implementing them.

I would like to see a time limit on decisions. If a ref can not see a clear reason to give or overturn a decision within an agreed period of time, tbc but we are talking seconds, then the original decision stands. The initial mantra was clear decisions so if you need 16 angles and slow mo's then it can not be clear.

Someone pointed out on the football thread that players and managers have brought this on themselves. I agree. The constant cheating, conning refs and the after match ranting, usually wrong and nearly always unpleasant, about decisions has made VAR inevitable. It just needs to be refined to work smoothly. I think it is working better than in the cup last year.

 

[Orikoru]

I pretty much agree. Yes, VAR should be in the game. The laws of football are all wrong though. Changing the rules to cater for VAR is stupid, they should simply be using VAR in a way that caters to the rules. As you say, somebody's shoulder being a millimetre past the defender's toe is not offside - those players are level. In the entire history of the game since offside was invented, that would be considered level. They must be seen to gain an advantage, and unless they're at least a foot beyond the defender then I don't think they are.

The handball law is just a total mess as well. Every time they seek to change it they just make it more and more stupid. If you move your hand to the ball (so it's deliberate), or your arm is sticking way out away from your body and blocks the ball, then that's handball. That's as simple as it needs to be.

VAR should be used sparingly. The feller watching it should review all the decisions as the game is going ahead, and only contact the ref if he's made a blatant error. There's no need for us to sit around while they double check every single goal that's scored for minor infringements.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I've changed my mind on it, initially I thought it's got to be good for the game... Correct decisions, right winners and all that.

Realistically though, it's still open to interpretation, has already shown some bad decisions and for me it's ruining the game.

I personally would vote to bin var and go back to the old ways.

 

[Orikoru]

I've changed my mind on it, initially I thought it's got to be good for the game... Correct decisions, right winners and all that.

Realistically though, it's still open to interpretation, has already shown some bad decisions and for me it's ruining the game.

I personally would vote to bin var and go back to the old ways.

We're two games into the season. If you thought it would immediately work brilliantly, you were deluding yourself.

There was obviously going to be some teething period of adjustment. The wording of some of the rules hasn't helped, but hopefully as the season progresses they will lapse into a more streamlined way of using it.

 

[IanM]

If you implement something like this in a sport where traditionally there is no respect for the Officials and all decisions are open to question, why would this change anything?

Man City on Saturday. New handball rule this season is clear - VAR just confirmed it. Is it really daft? Yep! Would I be angry if I was a City fan? Too right.

Offside by a toenail? Well, you get a better look on a Video Replay! Harsh, but his fringe was over hanging, so no goal!

Rugby has it spot on. Ref asks for any reason to change his mind or for confirmation. Quite clear.

In Cricket, marginal decisions stay "umpires call."

Football needs to decide what it wants... other than to make money.....

 

[Deleted member 18645]

I am just loving the controversy. Every Monday morning, managers and fans would go mental complaining about a goal that should have been disallowed, why they lost, biased officials etc etc etc
Now they are getting the right decisions and they are moaning about it spoiling the game etc etc etc

Choose one or the other lads - or just shut the bleep up.

 

[Orikoru]

I am just loving the controversy. Every Monday morning, managers and fans would go mental complaining about a goal that should have been disallowed, why they lost, biased officials etc etc etc
Now they are getting the right decisions and they are moaning about it spoiling the game etc etc etc

Choose one or the other lads - or just shut the bleep up.

Agree with that. A lot of people are saying it is taking the excitement or drama out of it. But what could be more dramatic about celebrating a goal and then having it taken away from you?? It's creating plot twists, if anything adding excitement not losing it.

 

[JV24601]

I do believe VAR is still subjective with examples such as the Man City Rodrigo tackle at the weekend.
I personally don't think it should be used for things like that though.

It could be objective if they change the offside rule to include daylight between players. Technology could instantly show daylight and that sorts the offsides out.

Handballs and fouls then becomes a minefield, and it's just somebody else's opinion.. this time at Stockley Park or wherever they sit.

 

[clubchamp98]

I am still not sure!
Any decision for us great I like it.
Any decision against us no I don’t like it.
It’s like having a referee really that gets his decisions correct.

 

[larmen]

I am ‘suffering’ VAR in the German league for a full year now. In principle I agree with it, just the way they do it is sometimes not clear, and clear is what it was supposed to be about.

The big teams still get the decisions in their favour as when to look at VAR is subjective.

And way to many stupid hand penalties. Just kick it hip to chest high into the box instead of towards the goal, much better chance scoring that way!

 

[Tashyboy]

I am just loving the controversy. Every Monday morning, managers and fans would go mental complaining about a goal that should have been disallowed, why they lost, biased officials etc etc etc
Now they are getting the right decisions and they are moaning about it spoiling the game etc etc etc

Choose one or the other lads - or just shut the bleep up.

This all day long. but this post highlights what is wrong with VAR. It seems to me the law which VAR is upholding is written by people that have never ever kicked a ball in there lives. They don't understand football.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Can we get players to stop diving and cheating, or managers stop going on about refs?......If not then VAR is good for the game.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

It could be objective if they change the offside rule to include daylight between players. Technology could instantly show daylight and that sorts the offsides out..

Best comment about offside on the forum. Makes for no so called confusion about interpretation etc. The decision would be obvious.

As for handball. It must really be deliberate. Don't change it from this .
However, Some commentators over the years haven't a clue what deliberate means. Expressions like "I've seen em given" just show they are stirring it or they are missing knowing it has to be deliberate
As for defenders "accidentally " having their arm/hand in an awkward or unnatural position!
Whenever I've seen replays it's been obvious to me what is or isn't deliberate.
If the lawmakers are not sure,then why don't they say that in view of the prevalence of cheating in the recent game, then the decision will assume the arm is deliberately in its position unless it is clearly not the case. And that decision should be judged by the VAR ref. watching in real time.

 

[Fade and Die]

Just scrap the bloody thing altogether.
Take the rough with the smooth and be done with it, it's part and parcel of the game.
Remember football is a game of emotions. For many their entire week revolves around it. The last minute winner is a thing of joy. The thing that makes you savour the post match beer that much more. Sadly you now have to put on hold that magical moment you hug a complete stranger until computer says yes. The sterile operating room environment of VAR has now stripped that joy away....

Take away the emotion and you take away the game.

 

[AmandaJR]

^^What he said - I'm learning to hate VAR with more passion than I can now safely apply to a goal being scored!

 

[Fade and Die]

^^What he said - I'm learning to hate VAR with more passion than I can now safely apply to a goal being scored!

Understandable, you have been on the wrong end of the decisions two weeks running, West Ham have benefitted from VAR both weeks but I still hate the thing! Sitting in the stadium V city waiting for decisions to be made is not In my opinion what watching football is about!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Have stated for years that bringing in video replay for football will ruin it and imo that’s what is happening

Yes we moan about decisions etc etc but that’s all part of the game , it’s been happening for decades and it won’t stop.

Goal line technology was superb but VAR is ruining the flow and the natural way the game is.

Unfortunately it’s here now and poor refs are going to continue use is as a crutch.

And also the rule changes are just as poor

 

[chrisd]

Have stated for years that bringing in video replay for football will ruin it and imo that’s what is happening

Yes we moan about decisions etc etc but that’s all part of the game , it’s been happening for decades and it won’t stop.

Goal line technology was superb but VAR is ruining the flow and the natural way the game is.

Unfortunately it’s here now and poor refs are going to continue use is as a crutch.

And also the rule changes are just as poor

I detect some sort of dislike for VAR 🤔🤔

 

[doublebogey7]

This

Just scrap the bloody thing altogether.
Take the rough with the smooth and be done with it, it's part and parcel of the game.
Remember football is a game of emotions. For many their entire week revolves around it. The last minute winner is a thing of joy. The thing that makes you savour the post match beer that much more. Sadly you now have to put on hold that magical moment you hug a complete stranger until computer says yes. The sterile operating room environment of VAR has now stripped that joy away....

Take away the emotion and you take away the game.

This, all day long.