Hi all, There seems to be a lot of contrasting controversy surrounding VAR just now. In England (where VAR is in operation) VAR is under constant scrutiny, Che Adams had a perfectly good goal chopped off after being reviewed. Whereas over the last few days in Scotland I've heard many call for it's implementation as Kemar Roofe was let off with a clear piece of dangerous play vs St Johnstone. Did you know, the SFA have plans to implement VAR technology in the next few years. Crawford Allan head of referee operations has stated many time he's a fan of the technology and he's been in contact with representatives of countries using VAR. Do you think it's needed in Scotland? There is currently a piece of research being done at the University of Stirling which is going to be presented to the SFA regarding people's views of VAR in Scotland. Have your say for the SFA to review... The views of different stakeholders on VAR (video assistant referee) technology in association football.
We thought that but it seems you still get big decisions going the wrong way so maybe it's either the rules or the people running the VAR that are the problem?
One of the best debated topics at the moment, some of Scottish refereeing is woeful. Not even sure making the referee's full-time would improve the standard?!
I think people misunderstand VAR. VAR doesn't make the vast majority of the decisions. It gives the referee a better platform to make that decision. I think you hit the nail on the head. It's the rules people have the issue with yet confuse that with VAR.
The standard, among other things, is terrible. But then you see a player who is clipped by the goalkeeper being cited yesterday for simulation and that is them with the added help of video technology so what chance have you got. It happens now and then
I don't think we did though? Nobody I know wanted VAR, and nobody I know is in favour of keeping it, because it's been an absolute shambles. Be careful what you wish for . . .
Totally agree. This shambles makes the sport a science. It isn't one. I prefer to celebrate a goal knowing it's a goal instantly as the linesman has not raised his flag, or indeed not having to suffer having the celebration of a goal, only to then see it evidently chalked off; due to the instant raising of said flag. But more importantly than that. In terms of the scientific thing. If a players toe is so marginally offside that it isn't noticeable to the human eye, even after replays (without having lines added to the picture) then it is not and should not be deemed offside by any reasonably thinking person. An offside call, whether you see it as a reward for a good defensive line, or a penalty for stepping beyond that final line... Should only be penalised or rewarded where that is a clear mistake or indeed deliberate attempt at taking an illegal advantage. If your toe is offside, you can not possibly know that. If the opposition players' toe is marginally offside, equally you cannot possibly know that and as such, have not played for it. The opposition player has done you. You should not be rewarded (or bailed out). That is a lottery. I have focussed on one particular example/aspect here, but there are many reasons for VAR having no place in football
I feel pundits , managers and some players were screaming for some help when a decision went against them but guess that was probably just human nature as they thought decisions would be corrected simply without all the fuss ut creates But yes for fans but it’s not a good experience and adds nothing to the game but then they aren’t really thought of generally.
I remember reading an article that a var intervention happened every three and a half games on average, and the average time lost per game was just 55 seconds. It was also noted to increase the accuracy of refereeing decisions (in other words, it was fairer) which can only be seen as a positive in my eyes. I know it's not perfect, but it was never meant to be. The best bit of technology that's been added to the game is Hawkeye on the goal line, to see if it's crossed the line or not. Long term, it appears that it's here to stay and football will continue to become more data driven as analytics evolve. So at a professional level, the game will continue to rely on this technology, meaning the likes of var will be here to stay.
Trouble is as we have seen that isn’t the case and still many decisions appear to be wrong either because they miss it , or it’s a subjective decision and basic errors which I guess will happen as you say . And the offside rule is particularly frustrating for everyone .
I remember listening to a podcast before the introduction of var, and they were suggesting that instead of people complaining about referee decisions, they'll just complain about the var decisions instead haha. Yeah decisions will still go wrong, take the following article for example: How does VAR work in European leagues? Mixed bag of opinions there regarding how well var has gone in other leagues, but they tend to follow the same complaints about stoppages and as you mention, the frustration with the offside rule. I can completely understand that but it can easily be changed in time with an adjustment of the rules.
Thats it. The problem is people not agreeing with the rules, not VAR. For instance every fractional offside decision abd they scream about VAR. If a player is offside then he is offside, doesn't matter if it's by half his ear. The decision is correct. There is no 'he was only a fraction offside so let it stand rule'.
The rules were written to be applied by the human eye, which is why this is wrong. An offside call which nobody could see without numerous replays and sometimes even lines added in, is not deserving of being called offside, for the reasons highlighted in post number 10. The game isn't played on paper
As said above, it’s the rules that need tweaked to accommodate VAR in the game as opposed to binning it completely. Using technology to help officials and improve the chances of correct calls being made has to be a good thing surely. So if most fans are in agreement with that basic concept (I don’t see why they wouldn’t be) and it’s not working as it should, and is in fact causing more problems than resolving them, then it’s at that point there needs to be a workaround and a consensus as to what is the right road to go down. Amend a number of the rules so that it assists with the enjoyment of the game rather than get rid of a system that should be there to lessen the chances of game changing decisions being called incorrectly.
I disagree. If you're going to bring VAR in, then you have to be as precise as it allows you to be, this means, the lines come in to tell you if it's offside etc etc. You can't half arse it. Without VAR we can't be scientifically precise and that is how the game is supposed to be, it's how it is for a player and so it's how it should be refereed. The reaction of English fans should be enough to show that. I hate it myself when watching their games as a neutral. You get people moaning that it shouldn't be called offside because it's so marginal...if you introduce technology then unfortunately that is factually offside and so has to be ruled that way. If there was no VAR then they'd be totally right, it looks completely onside, so it is
VAR can only be as good as the rules allow it to be and currently as we are seeing down south it is causing a lot of frustration, probably because the absolute letter of the law is being carried out (minimal offside decisions being an example). The offside rule could be changed so that it allows more leeway and there many other ways rules can be looked at to lessen the chances of ridiculous decisions being made overall. Just because things have always been a certain way does not mean they need to continue like that and I think it would be a real shame if VAR was binned without it being given a real chance to be the positive for the game that it was intended to be.
How could the rules be changed in such a way though? There has to be a line, otherwise it is cloudy and open for interpretation, which surely defeats the purpose of introducing such technology in the first place?
