Thread by @SpurssAlfie, Why VAR will not work in the Premier League, or football in [...]

Why VAR will not work in the Premier League, or football in general. A thread, likes and RTs Appreciated

Okay, so I am all for supporting and aiding match officials in every way possible, but with VAR it's just ridiculous. The first thing I want to point out is that the Laws of the Game are very clearly subjective, as there is an entire section on 'Interpretation' however

VAR sates that in order for a decision to be overturned, the mistake must be clear and obvious, which instantly contradicts the nature of the Laws of the Game. As well as this, every match official has their own tolerance level, which is why there are inconsistencies

In all match officiating, this is actually not the referee's fault, the laws are so subjective that they really can be interpreted in hundreds of ways and it makes it very difficult to be a match official. Another thing with VAR is that it does not eliminate human decisions

because, as I have already said, match officials have their own tolerance levels, so the VAR officials may see something as an infringement when another match official wouldn't in that same situation, this causes inconsistencies in VAR as well as on the field of play

An example I will use is Deeney vs Wolves, some referees would have seen that as a dive, and that would have impacted on the game, whichever way the decision was made, VAR would not have overturned it as it was not a clear/obvious error

VAR also does not cover enough bases, for example if an incorrect corner is awarded, and is subsequently scored from, then VAR cannot overturn the goal as it was not in the same phase of play, similarly if there was an incorrect throw in/ free kick awarded in the build up to an

attack, this actually makes VAR look worse, as it does not fairly rule out all goals which are contentious, which makes VAR more controversial.

This is of course assuming that a goal is legally awarded, which i'll get on to...

For me, the main main issue with VAR is the handball-penalty scenarios. I am fully aware of UEFAs law changes, and that is a different topic (but it's wrong.) If a referee is allowed to watch the video replay of a contentious hadball there are going to be 2 things he is going to

think about

1) the fact that VAR officials have asked him to check the infringement immediately psychologically tells the referee that he has probably got it wrong (even if he hasn't) and has a natural sense of bias towards the unbenefitted team

2) he gets to view the handball

in slow motion so it instantly shows the handball to be more intentional than it was, which sways the referee in the offensive teams way.

Another thing in general is referee's going to view the screen, as this concept alone is completely flawed and must be removed before VAR

can be used well/ at all.

Being told in his ear to watch the screen of his own decision in a pressured situation in front of thousands psychologically challenges you, it's an element of expectation laid upon you, almost guaranteeing a different decision, almost all

and every time a referee has looked at the screen, he has overturned his decision. It's damaging to the game telling referees to review their own decsion, which is why it can only be viewed by a 3rd person, so there's no psychological impact.

As well as this, if VAR is to overturn the decision, shouldn't the officials above be able to spot if it's a clear and obvious error without havingthe referee to rewatch it. To me, telling the referee to watch it is saying it's not clear and obvious but wanting

to put a burden on the referee so it's his call.

The only thing that I believe VAR should look at is offside goals, but then that becomes difficult because when do assistant's put their flag up? Or do they not at all? Why don't we just get rid of assistants?

Obviously that's ridiculous, but to anyone who thinks VAR is going to come in and save football, think again, because it will make you more angry with incorrect decisions than currently.

And also from a fan's POV, celebrating a 90th minute derby winner only to find out there was a controversial handball at the beginning of the phase? Nah, I want my goal. And vice versa, I want the excitement, the tension of VAR is great until its annoying and wrong

A lot of people don't know the real niggly things about VAR, its great as a concept, but it is not for football due to subjective laws, ruins excitement and makes officiating top level games impossible, trust me I've done the course for it: it's stupid.

To conclude
-Subjective laws makes it ineffective in tight situations
-Clear and Obvious will never work with the current LOTG
-If it is to be used (more than likely now) VAR officials oonly, no screen as it then isn't a C&O error
-Offsides only please
-All in all, PRAY for PL

Oh one more thing, do not ever compare rugby/cricket Video Technologies when discussing VAR, they are totally different sports with not nearly as many stupid laws and phases of play to rewatch, it's entirely different.

thanks

And that;s the end of the thread, sorry it's long, I needed to say this as a referee and educate some people, hope I swayed a few of you, happy to discuss it below

RT pls, thanks x

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