Opinion: VAR

Video Assistant Referee, do we need it? Does it work? Can it get tight decisions correct? Will it destroy the flow of the game? Good or Bad, over the last year VAR has been questioned, tested and argued about.

The evidence that VAR has been needed in the worlds top leagues has been building over the past years, with officials failing to spot offsides and other offences, most of these leading to game changing moments.

Officiating is quite possibly the hardest job in all sports and in Football it definitely is, having to keep an eye on everything that goes on with only three other people to help you, it is obvious that things will be missed. A prime example of this is when Southampton’s Charlie Austin had his goal against Watford ruled offside, Austin himself was clearly onside and Maya Yoshida, another Southampton player, who was offside clearly moves away from the ball and does not attempt to be involved with play. I believe with the technology available, with the evidence their it would be wrong to not take the opportunity to have VAR.

This, along with several other wrong offside decisions such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mane having his goal ruled out when being in line with Chelsea’s back four has led to the FA and The Premier League voting in principle to introduce VAR from the 2019 season.

VAR took its place in this year’s FIFA World Cup and for the most place worked well and received positive reviews, but also took criticism as it turned over some decisions which were claimed as dubious and the outlines as how to use VAR within a match came into question.

Following the World Cup, VAR has been used in the Bundesliga in Germany, Serie A in Italy and the MLS in the USA, all working to strong levels of success but has still received some criticism and gotten a few decisions wrong.

VAR is used to correct ‘Clear and obvious errors’, Goals, Second Yellow Cards and game changing mistakes but cannot be initiated by the Official on the pitch, instead a VAR review is suggested by a VAR official looking at replays and the Official can choose whether or not to review the decision.

One of VAR’s biggest critic has been its conduct and the way it is used. I believe that VAR should be allowed to be initiated by the Official on the pitch if they feel they are not sure about a game changing moment. I also believe that all decisions that do go to VAR should be replayed on the large screens found in nearly all top flight stadiums so that everyone in attendance can also see the replays along with Officials, just like it is done in Rugby, so that if it is a ‘Clear and obvious error’ everyone can see this and understand the changing of the decision.

VAR could affect the flow of the game but if only used at clinical moments in the game then I cannot see why VAR would be bad for any league, with Officials needing help on the evidence we see every week. Add to this showing everyone the replays that Officials see to end disputes then VAR can be a massive success around the world.

Video Assistant Referee’s are a part of the future of Football, it must be, we need it to make sure the game is fair and works for everyone, I believe it can work perfectly within Football with a few changes that I do think will be in place over time. The time for VAR is upon us.