Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times, discusses the impact of VAR on football, including controversial decisions, confusion caused by a communication breakdown, and its influence on goal celebrations. The podcast also explores the resistance towards technology in football, the potential costs of VAR errors, and the mixed feelings of fans towards VAR in terms of transparency and financial implications.
VAR has faced significant criticism due to errors and controversies, costing teams potential points and millions of pounds.
Improving communication and decision-making is crucial for VAR to effectively correct errors and prevent match-changing mistakes.
Deep dives
VAR: The Controversial Innovation in Football
VAR, or Video Assistant Referee, has become a topic of intense discussion in the world of football. While its introduction was intended to avoid mistakes and provide more accurate decisions, it has faced significant criticism due to various errors and controversies. This season alone, there have been 16 VAR errors, almost double the number compared to the same point last season. These errors have had significant consequences for teams, costing them potential points and millions of pounds. Fans and players alike have criticized VAR for interrupting the flow of the game, causing delays, and taking away the spontaneity of celebrating goals. Despite the controversy, it is unlikely that VAR will be scrapped, as it has gained support in countries where corruption and contentious decisions were key concerns. While there is room for improvement, it is expected that VAR will continue to be a part of football, striving to reduce major errors.
The Liverpool-Tottenham Hotspur VAR Blunder
The match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur highlighted the flaws of VAR. Liverpool scored a goal that was initially disallowed due to offside, but upon review, it was found that the attacker was actually onside. However, a miscommunication led the referee to believe the goal should not stand, resulting in a free kick to Tottenham instead of a goal for Liverpool. This error cost Liverpool the match and demonstrated the potential impact of VAR mistakes. While VAR has the potential to correct significant errors, it is crucial to work on improving communication and ensuring that correct decisions are effectively communicated to both players and fans.
The Challenges and Future of VAR
The introduction of VAR in football has not been without challenges. Disagreements and delays caused by VAR have been a source of frustration for fans and have disrupted the flow of the game. However, there is still hope for improvement. Specialized VAR officials could help enhance decision-making, and as people become more accustomed to VAR, its effectiveness is expected to improve. While it may not eliminate controversy entirely, VAR has the potential to prevent outrageous mistakes that were more prevalent in the past. The goal is to strike a balance between using technology to ensure fairness and preserving the spirit and excitement of the game.
Seven years ago, Fifa introduced the VAR system: the video assistant referee. It was meant to help make quicker, more accurate decisions about on-field incidents like off-side and handballs. But after a series of recent errors, is it ruining the beautiful game?
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Guest: Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk
Clips: BBC, TNT Sport, Premier League, talkSPORT, Sky, ITV, Liverpool FC.