ClaretandHugh FB admin Carol Combes has definite views on most everything and explains here why we need to stick with VAR
By Carol Combes
I’ve seen enough ‘poor’ decisions to NOT be able to argue that VAR is working as it should be.
I am often accused of being way too positive, so what I am now suggesting might seem unusual- but try and stick with me!
I am suggesting a conspiracy theory!
When similar tech was suggested, then started, at tennis games there were similar outcries, saying it didn’t work and needed to be scrapped. They persevered and now it works, and is accepted, by all.
After many years of loud shouts about changes being needed, losing points unnecessarily etc, the FA seemed to reluctantly introduce VAR. They are hardly known for their forward-thinking!
Why they cannot keep things simple is beyond me. A system similar to the one that was on BT Sport would have been better. There was a quick review, by Howard Webb, who saw the different angles in seconds. Then he could’ve had an ear-piece’ chat to the ref-sorted!
It did not need another three people to have a meeting about it, then bring in the ref, and on, and on, and on!
I honestly think that it has been made SO complicated and long-winded so as to fail, then the F.A. will say they tried!
What other reason would there be to introduce a system that hinders, not helps?
Most here will say that we ‘don’t need VAR’,and ‘it’s ruining the game’. Well many of them would be the same ones moaning that too many ref decisions are wrong and ‘something needs to be done’!
Well, we all know it’s not the game we all remember-everything changes-the players, grounds, rules, wages, memories! The fact is, that the game is always changing in one aspect or another and V.A.R. is part of that.
If it is to work, then we need to keep it simple, and not set it up to fail!
What amazes me is after the World Cup last year there were many anti VAR supporters and pundits actually coming around to the idea, as they had it nearly right. It may be hard to remember with what’s gone since, but there was a general feeling that it had worked for the most part.
Referee’s were reviewing decisions next to the pitch, everyone knew what was going on. Then, when they were a few tweaks away from it being effective, they changed it beyond all recognition.
If they are gonna keep VAR, then they should go back to a version of that system.
-Let the referee review and decide himself as the footage is also played on the stadium screen.
-Only overule offsidegoals when there is clear ‘daylight’.
-Sort out this handball definitively. Maybe if it hits the hand its a pen, regardless, it may be unlucky sometimes but its consistent and consistency is what we need.
The same people adjudicating VAR are the same people that are on the pitch making incredable howlers week in week out. Knowing that how one could expect VAR to be the panacea for poor decsion making is beyond me . . . and as for your armpit being offside!
The common denominator in Tennis, Rugby and Cricket interventions are that incidents are reviewed and decisions made rapidly and, more importantly, the crowd are informed instantly.
Yes, VAR is a work in progress and there will be issues to address come close season. The two most important points must be informing the crowd immediately and reducing the amount of time spent in making a decision.
If it takes 3 to 5 minutes to change a decision then it most definitely isn’t clear and obvious. So if it’s not clear and obvious at first look STOP LOOKING. Why go to the Nth pixel just to prove the Ref right or wrong? If they’re going to go to those lengths and times, it is to the detriment of the game not the benefit. As AD said above, they had it right for the World Cup. Why change a good, transparent, efficient system to the over complicated, secretive mess we have now?