Football, or soccer as it is known in other parts of the world, has always been characterized by high-speed drama, thrill goals, and unpredictable turns. However, the one thing which has always lacked in the game is absolute certainty in the matters of refereeing decisions. Welcome to VAR: Video Assistant Referee, the technological revolution set to assist the officials in more accurate decision-making.
Since its introduction in the top league of football, it has been a talking point for many. Some fans love it, citing that it helps enhance fairness, while others claim that it hinders the flow of the game and over-analyzes every little decision. But what is the impact of it on football matches? Does it enhance the sport, or does it decrease the magic of live play?
We will go in-depth into how it has impacted football. We will learn about its origins, the system behind it, its advantages and disadvantages, and how fans, players, and coaches perceive it within the game.
What is VAR?
The effects of VAR on the outcome of a football match can’t be understood without knowing what it is and how it works. it was an innovation brought into the game, with the intent of making the referees take better decisions at critical situations in the game like goal, penalty, red cards, and mistaken identity.
Simply, refers to a video-based system for assisting referees through the analysis of pivotal incidents. A group of video assistant referees, led by a lead referee and supported by more assistant VARs, examine live incidents and determine whether the on-field referee made the correct decision or not.
it can act in four areas:
1. Objective: Determine whether the ball had touched the goal-line or not and when an offside or foul occurred.
2. Free Kicks, Penalties Awarded: Decide whether to award a penalty or send the free-kick away.
3. Red Card: To sanction the person whose foul was deemed very violent, thus resulting in serious foul play.
4. Identity Error: Confirm giving the offense the right perpetrator.
The introduction of this rule was to bring a higher level of fairness and consistency to decisions that directly impact the outcome of a match. However, while the intention is noble, it has caused mixed reactions among fans, players, and experts.
The Benefits of it: Why It’s Good for Football
1. More Accuracy and Fairness
The most important benefit is that it makes referees give more accurate decisions. In most football matches, the speed makes referees take most of their decisions without a minute to think; hence, at times, it goes wrong. it reduces this kind of mistakes when giving goals, penalties, or red cards and making them accurate by solid evidence.
One such instance occurred during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In this competition, VAR intervened and corrected some important decisions. Probably the most impressive was a wrongly awarded penalty for France against Argentina in their knock-out round match. video based system reviewed the action, and the penalty was overturned. This restored fairness and revived the belief of people in the system.
2. Deletion of Disputed Decisions
The game of football has had its history of controversies surrounding refereeing decisions. The fans and players over time have been complaining about errors that bring injustice, such as offside goals, missed fouls, or wrongly given red cards. This means that the mistakes are reduced by VAR intervention, and referees also have to account for the additional layer.
A good example is seen in 2019 UEFA Champions League final when Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham was declared to have committed handball by the VAR, which paved the way for Liverpool to be awarded a penalty. Questionable but correct as seen on the replay.
3. Player Protection
By reviewing dangerous tackles and serious foul play, it can ensure that players who are reckless are punished more fairly. In some cases, referees may be unable to identify dangerous tackles when the game is being played live, but VAR can review the action again and make the officials issue yellow or red cards.
This feature of VAR brings another layer of security to players in terms of being safe from being targeted by an aggressive or violent foul.
The Drawbacks of VAR: What’s Wrong With It?
1. Game Flow Interference
The biggest criticism of VAR is that it disrupts the flow of the game. Football is a game that is known for its fast, continuous action, and VAR disrupts this rhythm. The review process of a decision can take several minutes, thereby causing unnecessary delays that frustrate players and fans alike.
For instance, in the English Premier League, it has been instances where VAR reviews took many minutes to determine whether a goal was offside or whether a foul had been committed. This may kill momentum for teams that have gained an advantage in attack.
2. Subjectivity of the Review Process
Although VAR is subjective, the act of making the decision is very subjective. Reviewing the footage requires human beings. The same incident might be differently interpreted by two different referees, and such subjectivity usually provokes frustration among teams when it is felt that a call is made in favour of the team.
In the 2020-21 Premier League season, there was controversy over Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty after a VAR review. Criticisms had it that the penalty was too harshly given and that it was not a clear decision after all, as far as VAR suggested.
3. Impact on Fan Experience
Fans of football are known for their dramatic reactions to a goal, penalty, or even a disputed decision. A decision overturned by VAR can bring mixed feelings to fans, leaving them in suspense for minutes before the final call is made. The moment of uncertainty reduces the “instant gratification” that fans crave when watching a match.
A nervous and impatient waiting game for both clubs’ fans for the final verdict. It is particularly more infuriating when the review ends in a decision everyone could have easily foreseen since the very beginning.
Practical Demonstrations of VAR’s Influence
1. 2018 World Cup: A Watershed Moment for VAR
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was one of the first major international tournaments to use VAR. During the group stages, the system received mixed reviews, but it proved to be an essential tool for making key decisions.
One key moment in the tournament came in the quarterfinal match between Russia and Croatia. In extra time, Russia was awarded a penalty following a VAR review. The shot by the Croatian goalkeeper saved it, but the decision shows how VAR could be used to avoid any mistaken decisions. Eventually, Croatia reached the semifinals following a penalty shootout, but without VAR, that penalty would have been a game-changer.
2. The Premier League: Fans Divided
VAR was introduced into the Premier League for the 2019-2020 season. One of the most publicized incidents occurred when Manchester City had a goal ruled out against Tottenham because of a marginal offside decision. Fans and analysts were split over whether the call was correct, with many arguing that it was an overly harsh application of technology.
Although at times it has been contentious, VAR in the Premier League has meant that there are fewer incorrect decisions, which means that referees get more of the big calls right.
3. A Mixed Bag: UEFA Champions League
Other drama is when VAR intervened in some dramatic fashion to change the outcome of a UEFA Champions League match. There was the contentious penalty decision handed to Liverpool against Tottenham in the 2019 final, when many thought that the call had been fair, but others claimed that VAR made much of something that was not much of an offense, a small handball.
How to Improve VAR’s Effectiveness?
As the technology is continuously developing, there are various ways to enhance VAR’s effectiveness in football.
Clearer Communication: One of the main complaints against VAR is the lack of transparency. Fans often do not understand why a particular decision was made. Clearer communication from the referees could improve the understanding of VAR decisions.
Swift Decisions: The long VAR reviews kill the excitement of the match. In order to improve the fan experience, VAR decisions need to be quicker and clearer.
Use of Technology: The future of VAR can be envisioned as the integration of more advanced technologies into the system. This includes the use of artificial intelligence and enhanced video systems. The latter can only speed up the process and be even more accurate in decision making.
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Conclusion: Is VAR a Blessing or a Curse?
Undeniably, VAR changed the landscape of football. Better accuracy, a better deal for a player, more justice in their treatment, however, also created negative repercussions such as interfering with flow of the match and creating much frustration among supporters.
In the end, VAR is here to stay, and its role in football will only grow. What’s important is that it’s used responsibly and effectively. If the implementation can be refined, then it will enhance the fairness of football while also maintaining the excitement and passion that make the sport so beloved worldwide.
A fan or player should then embrace VAR by realizing the value of helping referees make better decisions and remembering that technology is not perfect, just like any aspect of football. At the end of it all, it’s the human element-the passion, the drama, and the joy-that will always define the beautiful game.
