Sadly – from my viewpoint – VAR remains. I’m making my position clear from the outset. It has ruined the game for fans, encouraged conspiracy theorists and hasn’t stopped cheating, diving or mistakes. In some cases it compounds them, adding to the growing list of sometimes confusing, sometimes infuriating inconsistencies and error-strewn decision cock-ups. Better to do away with it and go back to decisions on the pitch standing.
However, The Premier League stumbles on, trying to make changes to make the system better. So, I will at least try and keep an open mind.
I’m sure someone will tell me why the referee’s microphone conversation is not broadcast live as it is in Rugby. Instead, new for 2024/5 there is to be a VAR Twitter/ X feed which, according to the Premier League itself, will: ” Provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.
The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.
In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.
Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition. It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.”
Ok, so I’ll see what the feed actually looks like later before condemning it. Maybe it will help. Trying, as I said, to keep an open mind on this.
But I just don’t understand why we have to look on b****y Twitter now to try and understand these decisions. Do I really now have to watch my X/twitter feed and the screen at the same time to try and figure out what is going on? Who decided that? Do fans at the game all have to pull their mobile phones out when a goal is scored to see if they can celebrate?
The officials are all mike’d up. Broadcast it, or scrap it, I say! Oh. Whatever happened to my ‘open mind’. Damn.
100% with you on this. I refuse to use that poisonous scuzzy app.
I wonder how.much the FA are going to be paid for their posts? A shed load no doubt.
It won’t be any good if you are in the ground as wi-fi is s**t