Ah VAR. It sounded like such a good idea when discussions first started, after all, none of our favourite football teams have escaped a dodgy refereeing decision.
What about those offsides that get missed or a disallowed goal that was clearly a goal? VR was supposed ot solve all of our football problems.
But years after it has been introduced, is it now more of a help or a hindrance?
What Is VAR?
At its core, VAR is a technology-based system used to assist the main referee during a football match.
Multiple cameras are set up around the football stadium to capture different angles of the match.
Then there’s a special room, often in or near the stadium, where the Video Assistant Referees sit. They have access to multiple screens showing the different camera angles.
The VAR team and the main referee are connected through earpieces, so they can talk to each other during the game.
The idea is that when an incident happens that falls into one of the specific situations (like goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity), the VAR team can review it.
If they see a potential error in the referee’s decision, they’ll let the referee know. The referee can then decide to trust the VAR’s advice or check the video footage himself/herself using a sideline monitor. This is called an “on-field review.”
After reviewing, the referee makes the final call, whether to stick with the original decision or change it based on the video evidence.
Why Is It Like A TV Replay System?
Just like when we watch a football match on TV and see replays of crucial moments, the VAR system allows officials to replay specific incidents.
However, while TV replays are for viewers’ entertainment, VAR is specifically for ensuring more accurate decision-making in the game.
In essence, VAR is like giving referees a second set of eyes, using technology, to help them make the best decisions during a football match.
What’s The Purpose Of VAR
The main goal is to correct clear and obvious mistakes in four specific situations:
- Goals – to see if there was a foul or offside that the main referee missed
- Penalty decisions – to check if a penalty should or shouldn’t be given
- Direct red card incidents – not second yellow cards, only straight red cards
- Mistaken identity – if the referee sends off or cautions the wrong player
How Did VAR Come About?
Football is a fast-paced game, and sometimes, referees can miss things or make wrong decisions. So, to help them out and make the game fairer, the idea of using video technology was proposed.
It can be challenging for referees to catch every detail, especially when decisions have to be made in split seconds. Naturally, human errors can occur.
We all know that decisions in football can drastically change the outcome of a game, affect league standings, promotions, relegations, and even financial implications for clubs.
So, getting decisions right is of utmost importance. With advances in technology, particularly in broadcasting, viewers at home could often see replays that showed a referee’s mistake.
And it was this discrepancy between what fans and TV viewers could see and what referees had access that led to the need for a better system.
The discussions about incorporating technology in football weren’t new. Goal-line technology, which determines if the ball crossed the goal line, was a precursor to VAR and was introduced in many top leagues and international tournaments before VAR.
The idea of VAR was then tested in various smaller competitions to determine its effect and identify any potential issues.
These tests aimed to ensure that the introduction of VAR maintained the flow and spirit of the game while assisting referees in making the right decisions.
When Was VAR Introduced To The Premier League?
Before making its way to the Premier League, VAR underwent various trial phases.
Its first significant introduction was in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2016. It was then used in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup and, notably, in the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia.
In England, VAR was first trialed in a competitive match in August 2017 during the English Football League (EFL) Cup.
Over the next couple of seasons, its use expanded in both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.
Premier League clubs discussed and voted on the inclusion of VAR. In November 2018, they agreed in principle to introduce VAR from the 2019/2020 season.
Extensive work was then undertaken, in collaboration with referees, clubs, and other stakeholders, to ensure a smooth introduction.
Referees and officials underwent comprehensive training. The Premier League also created a centralised VAR hub, based in Stockley Park, London, where all video reviews for matches would take place.
Has VAR Improved Football In The Premier League?
The introduction of VAR in the Premier League, as with other leagues, was met with mixed reactions.
There were controversies, debates over decisions, and discussions on how the technology should best be applied.
Over time, there have been adjustments to its usage, with lessons learned from each match day, aiming to improve the system continually.
But has it improved football? That is a hotly debated question and one that has no clear answer.
Like any new advance in sport, there are positive and negatives.
Positives
One of the primary objectives of VAR was to increase the accuracy of decision-making in football.
There have been numerous occasions where VAR has intervened to correct clear errors made by the on-field referees, ensuring that the right decisions were made.
By reducing the number of incorrect decisions, VAR has played a role in ensuring matches’ outcomes are more just. Teams aren’t as likely to lose points due to refereeing mistakes.
Knowing that actions will be reviewed can discourage players from diving or feigning injury, as they’re aware that the cameras will likely catch any deceit.
And, while not always perfect, VAR aims to bring more consistency to decision-making, ensuring similar incidents across different matches are treated in the same way.
Negatives
One of the major criticisms is that VAR can disrupt the natural flow of a football match. The game can be paused for several minutes while a decision is being reviewed, which some argue takes away from football’s continuous and fluid nature.
While VAR can provide clear answers on black-and-white issues (like offside calls), there are still subjective decisions (like whether an action warrants a red card).
Different VAR officials might have slightly different opinions on these matters, leading to perceived inconsistencies.
In-stadium fans, especially in the early days of VAR in the Premier League, often felt left in the dark during reviews.
Unlike TV viewers, they didn’t always get to see replays or understand why certain decisions were made. This has been addressed over time with better communication in stadiums, but it remains a point of contention.
There have been instances where technical glitches or issues with the VAR system have unfairly influenced decisions.
And then there some decisions, like offsides, made with VAR involve incredibly fine margins – sometimes just millimeters.
While technically correct, such decisions have sparked debate over whether they’re in the spirit of the game.
So whether you think VAR is a good addition to football depends entirely on your perspective, and probably the game you’re watching.
Other Sports That Use VAR
While not exactly VAR, there are plenty of other sports that use technology to help with decision making.
Tennis – Hawk-Eye
Introduced in 2002, Hawk-Eye uses multiple high-speed cameras positioned around the court to track the path of the ball.
By combining the views of these cameras, the system can precisely determine where the ball lands.
Players are allowed a limited number of challenges per set. If they believe a shot was incorrectly called in or out, they can challenge the decision.
Hawk-Eye then displays the path and landing spot of the ball on a big screen for everyone to see.
Hawk-Eye greatly reduced controversies related to line calls. Its accuracy and reliability won over both players and fans, making line judging disputes almost a thing of the past.
Cricket – Decision Review System (DRS)
DRS was introduced in 2008 as a way to reduce umpiring errors in cricket, a game where a single decision can drastically alter the course of a match.
Similar to tennis, Hawk-Eye in cricket predicts the path of the ball, especially useful for leg-before-wicket (LBW) decisions.
UltraEdge detects edges off the bat using sound waves, helping in catch and LBW decisions. And ball-tracking helps in understanding ball trajectory and whether the ball made contact with the bat or the pad.
Teams are given a certain number of unsuccessful review requests per innings. If they feel an umpire’s decision is wrong, they can ask for a review.
DRS then employs its various technologies to reassess the decision. But it is not without its controversies.
Different cricket boards had varying stances on its adoption, but over time, it has become an integral part of the sport.
Rugby – Television Match Official (TMO)
The TMO system has been part of rugby since the early 2000s. The fast-paced nature of rugby, with pile-ups and quick tries, meant that referees sometimes needed assistance to make accurate decisions.
When a referee is uncertain about a decision related to the scoring of a try, or if they suspect foul play, they can refer to the TMO.
The TMO reviews video footage, often with various angles and slow-motion replays, and then communicates their findings to the on-field referee.
TMO has been largely beneficial in ensuring correct decisions during crucial moments in rugby matches.
However, similar to VAR in football, it’s had its moments of contention among fans and players, especially regarding the time it takes for decisions and its impact on the flow of the game.
Unlike football though, most rugby grounds and stadiums have big screens where the fans can also watch the replays along with the referee. This means less controversy and an overall more fair game.
