| I hate VAR 17:33 - Mar 7 with 1188 views | Sarge |
It’s the worst thing that’s happened to football in my lifetime. And the reason it has been forced upon us is the kind of abysmal performance we have just witnessed. It shouldn’t be a choice between badly integrated technology that sucks the life out of the sport or the whims of an incompetent power-crazed half-man. |  | | |  |
| I hate VAR on 17:48 - Mar 7 with 1101 views | Miaow |
Quite pleased to hear KMcK say just then that he hasn't missed it this year.
If it is used when necessary, and used properly and swiftly, then it can be good. But that is often not the case. I honestly wonder if the Premier League enjoy the drama and conversation that dreadful VAR decisions from their officials create, hence why they haven't rectified any of it. But I'm probably giving them too much credit. |  |
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| I hate VAR on 17:58 - Mar 7 with 1038 views | Blue_Uprising |
| I hate VAR on 17:48 - Mar 7 by Miaow |
Quite pleased to hear KMcK say just then that he hasn't missed it this year.
If it is used when necessary, and used properly and swiftly, then it can be good. But that is often not the case. I honestly wonder if the Premier League enjoy the drama and conversation that dreadful VAR decisions from their officials create, hence why they haven't rectified any of it. But I'm probably giving them too much credit. |
For what it’s worth I would have VAR but only on a review basis. 1 review per game, keep it if your challenge is correct and lose it if not. And only the ref can view images with no outside advice / discussion from off field officials.
In a hopeful way I think that this might stop some gamesmanship if there was a risk your team might lose your only review because of a dive.
Edit: should also add only real speed replays no slo-mo. Just different camera angles. [Post edited 7 Mar 18:10]
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| I hate VAR on 18:02 - Mar 7 with 1008 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
I find it hard to comprehend that in this age of AI and insane processing power, that we haven't got a better system than VAR. By trying to leave decisions on the field of play with the referee, and then only supposedly letting VAR intervene when the VAR officials decide there is a clear and obvious error, then everyone reviewing it from 6 different angles in slo-mo, the time taken is ridiculous and ruins the game.
Either time to test out a fully automated system that can make real-time decisions, or allow teams to have up to 3 VAR calls, like in tennis. |  |
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| I hate VAR on 18:17 - Mar 7 with 945 views | bluelagos |
You think VAR are over turning that decision? They are spending 5 minutes watching and rewashing it from every angle and possibly deciding it wasn't clear and obvious error...
Sometimes refs get things wrong. Sometimes VAR gets things wrong.
The world still goes round.... |  |
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| I hate VAR on 18:29 - Mar 7 with 903 views | Swansea_Blue |
As I was watching VAR try to find a way to rule out Wrexham’s perfectly good goal and their fans were giving a rousing rendition of ‘f**k VAR’ on dinner time telly, I was wondering why fans don’t get more of a say in the game. I know footie isn’t a country and isn’t set up democratically, but fans are still the lifeblood of the game. It dies without us (as seen by the sterile Covid lockdown matches). Why aren’t the fans being listened to?
Unbelievably, only a small percentage of fans (about 15%) want it scrapped, but the majority want major overhauls around better communication (hearing the discussion between ref and VAR) and also much better application of the supposedly ‘clear and obvious’ justification (no more ruled offside because a player has a semi!). They seem so reluctant to consider fans’ views.
(I agree with the point that officials need to be much better. The problem is that the solution (VAR) uses the same refs who are the problem!). [Post edited 7 Mar 18:30]
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| I hate VAR on 18:55 - Mar 7 with 819 views | Sarge |
| I hate VAR on 18:17 - Mar 7 by bluelagos |
You think VAR are over turning that decision? They are spending 5 minutes watching and rewashing it from every angle and possibly deciding it wasn't clear and obvious error...
Sometimes refs get things wrong. Sometimes VAR gets things wrong.
The world still goes round.... |
VAR would 100% overturn it. It would take 25 minutes but they’d invite the ref to go look. Admittedly John Busby is so poor at his job, and so consistently poor across many games, that he would probably refuse to change his mind.
Sometimes refs make mistakes is a get out. Some refs make far too many far too often that they shouldn’t be in their job. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 19:17 - Mar 7 with 764 views | Mark |
| I hate VAR on 18:29 - Mar 7 by Swansea_Blue |
As I was watching VAR try to find a way to rule out Wrexham’s perfectly good goal and their fans were giving a rousing rendition of ‘f**k VAR’ on dinner time telly, I was wondering why fans don’t get more of a say in the game. I know footie isn’t a country and isn’t set up democratically, but fans are still the lifeblood of the game. It dies without us (as seen by the sterile Covid lockdown matches). Why aren’t the fans being listened to?
Unbelievably, only a small percentage of fans (about 15%) want it scrapped, but the majority want major overhauls around better communication (hearing the discussion between ref and VAR) and also much better application of the supposedly ‘clear and obvious’ justification (no more ruled offside because a player has a semi!). They seem so reluctant to consider fans’ views.
(I agree with the point that officials need to be much better. The problem is that the solution (VAR) uses the same refs who are the problem!). [Post edited 7 Mar 18:30]
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> Unbelievably, only a small percentage of fans (about 15%) want it scrapped,
That is unbelievable. I am sure the true figure is much higher.
I agree about fans not being given a say, but hardly a surprise when the big clubs would rather replace supporters with corporate clients or LED adverts. |  | | |
| I hate VAR on 19:31 - Mar 7 with 725 views | Swansea_Blue |
| I hate VAR on 19:17 - Mar 7 by Mark |
> Unbelievably, only a small percentage of fans (about 15%) want it scrapped,
That is unbelievable. I am sure the true figure is much higher.
I agree about fans not being given a say, but hardly a surprise when the big clubs would rather replace supporters with corporate clients or LED adverts. |
Yeah, I was surprised by that. Lazily, I looked at Google AI search results, which don’t seem overly accurate. There’s a YouGov survey of TV viewers that says only 22% want it scrapped - https://yougov.com/en-gb/artic
A larger survey in 2024 showed 50% wanted it scrapped, which is probably closer to the truth https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo | |
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| I hate VAR on 06:44 - Mar 8 with 587 views | noggin |
Please take me back to the days where we questioned the ref's eyesight and went home. No XGs, possession stats, heat maps or bloody VAR. It's all sucking the enjoyment out of the game.
Bring back Gerry Harrison and John Motson.
Bring back the orange ball when it snows
Bring back football. |  |
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| I hate VAR on 06:45 - Mar 8 with 586 views | Benters |
| I hate VAR on 06:44 - Mar 8 by noggin |
Please take me back to the days where we questioned the ref's eyesight and went home. No XGs, possession stats, heat maps or bloody VAR. It's all sucking the enjoyment out of the game.
Bring back Gerry Harrison and John Motson.
Bring back the orange ball when it snows
Bring back football. |
This |  |
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| I hate VAR on 06:55 - Mar 8 with 574 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| I hate VAR on 18:17 - Mar 7 by bluelagos |
You think VAR are over turning that decision? They are spending 5 minutes watching and rewashing it from every angle and possibly deciding it wasn't clear and obvious error...
Sometimes refs get things wrong. Sometimes VAR gets things wrong.
The world still goes round.... |
Of course they are overturning that decision! |  |
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| I hate VAR on 09:17 - Mar 8 with 476 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| I hate VAR on 19:31 - Mar 7 by Swansea_Blue |
Yeah, I was surprised by that. Lazily, I looked at Google AI search results, which don’t seem overly accurate. There’s a YouGov survey of TV viewers that says only 22% want it scrapped - https://yougov.com/en-gb/artic
A larger survey in 2024 showed 50% wanted it scrapped, which is probably closer to the truth https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |
YouGov are more likely to be accurate, whether you like the results or not. One survey is from a respected research organisation, with well established methodologies in place whereas the other is a poll of members by a group with no experience in balanced research, arguably with a vested interest. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 09:18 - Mar 8 with 464 views | Swansea_Blue |
| I hate VAR on 06:44 - Mar 8 by noggin |
Please take me back to the days where we questioned the ref's eyesight and went home. No XGs, possession stats, heat maps or bloody VAR. It's all sucking the enjoyment out of the game.
Bring back Gerry Harrison and John Motson.
Bring back the orange ball when it snows
Bring back football. |
“ Bring back the orange ball when it snows”
On that point, can we bring back snow too? | |
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| I hate VAR on 09:30 - Mar 8 with 404 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| I hate VAR on 06:44 - Mar 8 by noggin |
Please take me back to the days where we questioned the ref's eyesight and went home. No XGs, possession stats, heat maps or bloody VAR. It's all sucking the enjoyment out of the game.
Bring back Gerry Harrison and John Motson.
Bring back the orange ball when it snows
Bring back football. |
The only way you change any of that is if you go back to there being no live league football on TV, and we're way beyond that ever being likely now. Outside of grassroots it's a different sport now, with predominantly a different audience. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 09:44 - Mar 8 with 376 views | Simonds92 |
| I hate VAR on 18:29 - Mar 7 by Swansea_Blue |
As I was watching VAR try to find a way to rule out Wrexham’s perfectly good goal and their fans were giving a rousing rendition of ‘f**k VAR’ on dinner time telly, I was wondering why fans don’t get more of a say in the game. I know footie isn’t a country and isn’t set up democratically, but fans are still the lifeblood of the game. It dies without us (as seen by the sterile Covid lockdown matches). Why aren’t the fans being listened to?
Unbelievably, only a small percentage of fans (about 15%) want it scrapped, but the majority want major overhauls around better communication (hearing the discussion between ref and VAR) and also much better application of the supposedly ‘clear and obvious’ justification (no more ruled offside because a player has a semi!). They seem so reluctant to consider fans’ views.
(I agree with the point that officials need to be much better. The problem is that the solution (VAR) uses the same refs who are the problem!). [Post edited 7 Mar 18:30]
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Guarantee the 'fans' who want to keep it, are the ones who watch on tv and film themselves celebrating goals. I think the broadcasters who show games have also been told to reduce their criticism of VAR in recent years and overly praise it when they supposedly get a decision right. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 09:56 - Mar 8 with 351 views | Mark |
| I hate VAR on 09:17 - Mar 8 by SuffolkPunchFC |
YouGov are more likely to be accurate, whether you like the results or not. One survey is from a respected research organisation, with well established methodologies in place whereas the other is a poll of members by a group with no experience in balanced research, arguably with a vested interest. |
I think these surveys include an option to improve VAR, which most people opt for leaving small percentages wanting to keep it as it is or scrap it. The thing is, VAR is not improving, and I fear it will get worse when they bring it in for corners and second yellow cards in the summer. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 10:16 - Mar 8 with 329 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| I hate VAR on 09:56 - Mar 8 by Mark |
I think these surveys include an option to improve VAR, which most people opt for leaving small percentages wanting to keep it as it is or scrap it. The thing is, VAR is not improving, and I fear it will get worse when they bring it in for corners and second yellow cards in the summer. |
Agreed, and it isn't a black & white issue. The introduction of VAR was heavily influenced by fans 'displeasure' with so many refereeing mistakes. If VAR was suddenly removed from the game, then I'm pretty certain that we'd revert to regular uproar about the ref stealing the game for whichever side due to a massive on-field mistake.
The problem with VAR is the implementation imo, not the idea or technology. It's not only being used for 'clear and obvious' errors, and it's taking too long for simple decisions to be made. This also seems to be a bigger problem in the PL than other top European leagues - when I watch other European league games, for most of the time, VAR seems to be much 'lighter-touch'.
If it is to continue (and it's hard to see it being removed) it needs to be made to work as originally intended. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 11:18 - Mar 8 with 299 views | Mark |
| I hate VAR on 10:16 - Mar 8 by SuffolkPunchFC |
Agreed, and it isn't a black & white issue. The introduction of VAR was heavily influenced by fans 'displeasure' with so many refereeing mistakes. If VAR was suddenly removed from the game, then I'm pretty certain that we'd revert to regular uproar about the ref stealing the game for whichever side due to a massive on-field mistake.
The problem with VAR is the implementation imo, not the idea or technology. It's not only being used for 'clear and obvious' errors, and it's taking too long for simple decisions to be made. This also seems to be a bigger problem in the PL than other top European leagues - when I watch other European league games, for most of the time, VAR seems to be much 'lighter-touch'.
If it is to continue (and it's hard to see it being removed) it needs to be made to work as originally intended. |
Decision making needs to be instant and communicated to fans right away. It is ridiculous that a linesman cannot raise a flag for offside, but instead has to let a player run through and score, fans celebrate, then VAR later decides whether or not it was offside. It means fans can no longer wholeheartedly celebrate goals, and that takes away the main joy of going to football matches. | | | |
| I hate VAR on 12:04 - Mar 8 with 250 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| I hate VAR on 11:18 - Mar 8 by Mark |
Decision making needs to be instant and communicated to fans right away. It is ridiculous that a linesman cannot raise a flag for offside, but instead has to let a player run through and score, fans celebrate, then VAR later decides whether or not it was offside. It means fans can no longer wholeheartedly celebrate goals, and that takes away the main joy of going to football matches. |
" It is ridiculous that a linesman cannot raise a flag for offside"
Of course this again is not a problem with VAR (as in the system), but the current laws/rules/guidance being given to the officials.
However, I do get the policy that the assistant referee shouldn't flag for offside if there is any doubt in their mind, as it otherwise creates an irreversible error. They've just allowed this interpretation to become too extreme, and often allow play to continue when it was clearly and offside. | | | |
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