VAR: Still an issue in the Premier League

VAR was introduced into the Premier League in 2019 and has been an issue ever since with many different controversies. Most notably last season there was a miscommunication on VAR in the Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool game, costing Liverpool a goal. Luis Diaz put the ball in the net and the linesman flagged for offside. VAR looked at it and could see he was actually onside but the goal was disallowed after they said “check complete” siding with the onfield decision as they believed the onfield decision was onside. When the game restarted they realised their error and panic ensued, but they could not go back.

This season they have once again had issues. Both VAR and referees have given questionable calls and also the new offside system that was to be brought in this season has been delayed, much to the annoyance of clubs and fans as they see its effectiveness in the Champions League. Let’s dive into some of the questionable calls that have taken place and look at ways that can improve VAR.

Questionable Calls

It can be said that the quality of VAR is much better in the Champions League and European games than it is in the Premier League. It is much quicker and the correct decision is usually found. In the Premier League, we seem to spend every week looking at officials and VAR because of something that has gone wrong. For certain instances like Declan Rice’s harsh second yellow card versus Brighton VAR cannot interfere because it is a second yellow. However, they should have interfered for Bruno Fernandes’s red card in Man United’s clash with Tottenham. Fernandes slipped into James Maddison and while he does stick his leg out he doesn’t catch him high or with his studs.

The onfield decision was a red card when in my opinion and the opinion of James Maddison himself, a yellow card was the correct call. VAR did not overturn the decision which is baffling now as Man United have won their appeal of the red card and Fernandes will not have to face a ban. Leicester have also had issues with VAR this season. Crystal Palace came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Leicester back in September but there was controversy involved in Palace’s first goal. The onfield decision was offside but VAR intervened awarding the goal. Leicester manager Steve Cooper says other angles have subsequently raised doubt over whether the wrong freeze-frame was chosen, and that Mateta was indeed offside when the ball was played to him.

Leicester showed the PGMOL other images they believe proved their case but the refereeing body insisted no error was made. This could have been simply solved if the Premier League had implemented the automated offside system we have seen in the World Cup, Euros and Champions League. The system is quick and efficient and leaves no doubt to the outcome. The system was supposed to be introduced but was delayed until after the 1st or 2nd international breaks. We now approach the 2nd international break with no sign of its introduction anytime soon with it being delayed until 2025. Whether we see it introduced at all this season remains to be seen. This is poor by all involved as there was plenty of notice that it would be introduced and without it, match results are being hindered.

Fixes for VAR

I would be of the opinion that the concept of VAR is a good one. Refereeing is a difficult job and another set of eyes on a game is an excellent idea. The problem with VAR in the Premier League is the quality of the people using it. The quality of refereeing in the Premier League is very poor at the moment and there definitely seems to be a lot of protection given to the refs. After poor results managers and players must face the media but referees do not. I think if refs had to explain controversial calls post match they would definitely improve in quality as they work harder to get the right decision.

We seen with the audio from the Spurs versus Liverpool match last season that when VAR are making a call there is a lot of voices talking at once, often over each other and in a panic. More calm is definitely needed in the VAR room in order to get the right decision. You would think they are doing this to get the decision done quickly but it often takes them a number of minutes anyway to come up with the decision, so showing calm and level headedness will have no impact on the time it takes them, it’s just common sense.

VAR has been a contentious issue in the Premier League since it’s introduction back in 2019. It does not look like improving anytime soon, but we can hope.

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