I’ll start by saying that as a football fan, being on the wrong end of a poor refereeing decision is incredibly frustrating. Conversely being on the RIGHT end of a poor refereeing decision, although obviously doesn’t leave me with the same emotion, still doesn’t leave me feeling comfortable.
One such decision that sticks in my mind was back in 2006 when Zokora dived in the penalty box to win us a penalty. I was obviously happy that we had the penalty (converted by Jermain Defoe to put us 2-0 up), but it just didn’t sit comfortably with me.
I’ll also say that I consider myself the kind of person that embraces change, in football and in life in general. If the technology is there then absolutely, as far as I’m concerned it should be implemented into the relevant sport to improve it.
The problem I have, is that although VAR is a technology available and now being used here in 2018 for football matches, I don’t think it should be.
Here’s a quote by SpursNews’ SJ;
“If, as stated by BT Sports referee in the studio that EVERY goal will be reviewed by VAR then the game is about to die. Scoring a goal and those immediate amazing joyful scenes will vanish as the ball hits the net and everyone stands around waiting to see if it’s allowed. The idea of technology being used to eliminate bad decisions is good, this incarnation however is deeply flawed and should be scrapped.”
I was at the game yesterday. We all got up and cheered, admittedly not with the same vigour as when I watched Kane bury his header against Arsenal, only to stand around confused as the referee stood with his finger in his ear making a square gesture with his fingers. The scoreboard was showing 1-0, the players were celebrating, now suddenly there was confusion.
I imagine if you’re watching the incident on television, with the advantage of replays and commentary, things are clearer. Watching the incident in the stands was a very confusing and frustrating experience.
When the goal was ruled out the scoreboard reverted back to 0-0 – something I’ve never seen at a football match; and on we go.
We then had the strange incident with the free kick/penalty and the ruling out of the subsequent penalty. Again, we were all looking at each other in bewilderment.
It was then really that the atmosphere in the stadium became quite odd. The referee was getting roundly booed and there were a lot of angry shouts towards the referee. I was one of those shouting at him, and because I was sitting by the tunnel I vented my anger directly at him as he walked past. In hindsight he was just doing what he had been instructed to do (use VAR) and my anger was borne out of sheer frustration.
Every time a goal went in the referee would put his finger to his ear. It reminded me of the recent Scotland vs England rugby match, not that I want to be reminded as an Englishman, where the referee would ask if “there is any reason why this try can not be given”. It works in rugby, it almost feels like it naturally flows with the game. It’s the same with cricket, checking whether an umpire has made the right call doesn’t irritate the players or the watching public.
I just don’t think it works on a football pitch. Is this just me contradicting myself and not embracing change? I don’t think it is.
Goal line technology for example – brilliant in my opinion. The referee immediately knows if the ball has crossed the line and can make the right call, but consulting VAR for a couple of minutes while fans are up and celebrating a goal doesn’t sit well with the flow of a football match.
Also how far back do you go before a goal is scored? Llorente looked to have been fouled in the build-up to Rochdale’s equaliser. Surely VAR should have been used to see if that was a foul if Lamela’s strike was ruled out for a foul?
VAR is definitely a technology that can be very helpful in a football match, I just don’t think the WAY it was used yesterday helped, bad-decision eradication or not.
MC
