VAR vs Reffing.

[Trav Le Bleu]

We have a substantial thread moaning about VAR.

 

We have substantial thread moaning about the poor quality of refereeing at this level.

 

However, a lot of us are saying how much we enjoy being able to instantly celebrate a goal, or not worry about a tackle in the penalty box if the ref doesn't blow his whistle.

 

We may well be going back to the EPL next season, which will mean a return to VAR. So a quick, completely pointless thread...

 

Which system do you prefer? And no, you can't have VAR making perfect instant decisions.

Edited 6 November 2023 by Trav Le Bleu

[moore_94]

Rather have the refs on the spot

 

At least with that there can be some level of understanding if they get something wrong

 

Having multiple camera angles with the footage slowed down with multiple people watching it and STILL getting it wrong means they deservedly get less understanding from the fans and more criticism

 

If they are going to keep it at least adopt the semi-automatic offside already, those using the system at the moment can’t even draw lines properly sometimes ffs

Edited 6 November 2023 by moore_94

[Fox92]

People say refs but then sit at games and sing how bad the ref is, or even post about the referee before the game even takes place.

 

There has been to much emphasis on referees for the past 15/20 years or so, probably even more.

 

Refereeing is a hard job and the game is fast now, too fast. I would also say people around me in the stands boo decisions that turn out to be right half the time watching the highlights back.

[RonnieTodger]

Refs have been shite in the Championship, but it’s infinitely preferable to waiting for a decision that they’ll probably still get wrong. 

[Monk]

Make offside automatic via technology and do the rest without VAR, except perhaps decisions around red cards. 

[StanSP]

Until they sharpen up VAR and the advantages it can bring, and what technology can bring, then stick to the human side of refereeing and leave it at that. 

 

VAR is now creating too many errors regularly. Whether that's down to incompetence or ambiguity of the rules, or a combination of both, it's still causing confusion amongst fans and officials.

 

I know there's the issue of time taken to review decisions, but for me that's not even the biggest issue. It's the fact that decisions still lack clarity and in fact cause more debate as opposed to clearing it up. 'clear and obvious' is now left up to subjectivity and causes too many blurred lines. 

 

The consistency is now VAR errors and howlers, as opposed to being able to commend a referee on good use of the technology available and seeing more games where referees aren't talked about. 

 

They need to bring in the semi-automated offside. It works so well, speeds things up and there's very little debate afterwards. 

 

You can't scrap VAR in the middle of a season but I'm glad for this season we don't have to worry about it. It's easier to just move on with a decision in the Championship or where a game doesn't have VAR and therefore have less fuss. Like with the Choudhury/Summerville incident - don't care about it now and to be honest stopped caring a day after. Ref dealt with it, gave the yellows and that was that. With VAR the debates just rumble on and it's frustrating when the PL feel the need to have a programme to discuss decisions, and even then sometimes they still can't agree. 

Edited 6 November 2023 by StanSP

[Vlad the Fox]

Personally don’t think the refs have been much worse than when in the prem with the exception of the one game when he seemed to miss two blatant penalty decisions, one each so that backs up the evens itself up regiment in one match. On the whole though I can’t think of any glaringly obvious mistakes that would have been changed by var and don’t miss the stoppages we’d have had for numerous goals that would have been checked endlessly for offside and as such killing the game. 
 

I remember reading something before var was introduced saying that refs got something like 96% of decisions right, they anticipated var would improve that by 2/3%. Is it really worth all the disruption, cost and killing the very moments of euphoria we all crave for 3%?

[Dan]

I think we have enough evidence now that it doesn't work - certainly not in its current form anyway.

 

I'll support anything that enhances the game. Goal line technology for example has worked absolutely fine bar literally one incident.

 

VAR is without any shadow of a doubt a net negative.

[Dahnsouff]

I still maintain that the tech is possible or at least close to, but that the outcome is just muddied by these with vested interests, driven by money rather than merit, and fuelled by incompetence.

[Finnegan]

Whichever side we're on, for or against tech, can we all come together, join hands and agree on one thing? 

 

We're really fvcking bored of talking and hearing about it. 

 

I am so fed up of VAR as an "issue."

 

[worth_the_wait]

3 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Whichever side we're on, for or against tech, can we all come together, join hands and agree on one thing? 

We're really fvcking bored of talking and hearing about it. 

I am so fed up of VAR as an "issue."

 

Exactly, let's get rid of VAR, then it wouldn't be an "issue".

 

And we can then get back to moaning about the ref and linesmen, as we did perfectly well for near on 150 years!

[davieG]

52 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

People say refs but then sit at games and sing how bad the ref is, or even post about the referee before the game even takes place.

 

There has been to much emphasis on referees for the past 15/20 years or so, probably even more.

 

Refereeing is a hard job and the game is fast now, too fast. I would also say people around me in the stands boo decisions that turn out to be right half the time watching the highlights back.

It's somewhat harder to sing about VAR being bad and besides they're miles away and wouldn't hear it and you get as many moans about VAR before the game, especially against the biased 6/7.

 

How about taking some of the responsibilities off the ref like timekeeping, subs, injured players serving their 1 minute and use the Asst Refs more to make decisions and just let them concentrate solely  on the game running the game.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

I was in favour when it was originally brought in but have since changed my mind. They clearly can't make it work in any form. It's just not a good fit for the game of football either. Makes the game stodgy and too long.

[worth_the_wait]

There's another issue with VAR, which I think has only come to light relatively recently.

 

And that is, pre VAR when refs made mistakes, you could often understand why.   A player was in the way, or a foul wasn't obvious, or the player dived , or feigned injury, etc etc.   In the heat of the moment, you could see the ref looking at the action and making a split second honest decision.   If he got it wrong, you could see he did it in the chaos of the moment.

 

But now, we have VAR.  And action replays, and slow motion action replays, and lines being drawn on pitches.   So now there's no excuse, and the poor bod stuck away in a darkened room has to get it right.   No matter how long it takes.   But of course, he can't always.  Sometimes it's a matter of opinion, sometimes the camera and isn't right, and in my opinion the ref on the pitch is often better suited to judging whether there was sufficient contact to bring a player down.  

 

So now there's no excuse, but they will still get it wrong, and managers are even angrier than ever.   And all that for ruining the excitement of what used to be the greatest sport on Earth.

[David Hankey]

The fact of the matter is that many wanted change and so VAR was ultimately born.

 

This, to my mind, should make us all think about what we wish for.

 

Wherever humans are involved mistakes will be made.

[Blarmy]

I was so keen to select option 2 I got thumb-lash. 

[UniFox21]

I'd want VAR, but not with how it's currently run or used. 

With how the world cup used VAR for me was much better 

[Lambert09]

Got to be true to yourself as well, don’t be someone that will cry about no var if you get a decision like that preston pen against you 

 

Got to accept those will happen 

[Dan]

52 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Whichever side we're on, for or against tech, can we all come together, join hands and agree on one thing? 

 

We're really fvcking bored of talking and hearing about it. 

 

I am so fed up of VAR as an "issue."

I know you have said in the past you support it but I think it's unavoidable. I think it's created an expectation that will simply never be met while collateral damage will never be avoided.

[leicesterseddon]

I prefer no VAR at all, because I value the enjoyment of watching the game over the perfectibility of the decision-making.

 

As opposed to professional TV pundits, who value having something else to talk about at half-time.

Edited 6 November 2023 by leicesterseddon

[Aus Fox]

I honestly can’t see how any football fan can say they enjoy a game with VAR more than without it.

It completely takes all enjoyment out of the game, and it’s getting worse 2/3 minutes sometimes more after a goal

is scored and they are still looking at the positioning of a players armpit hair to decide if a perfectly good goal should stand or not.

[lcfcsnow]

The more refs involved in a match the worse off it is.

 

Automatic offsides along with goal line techology would solve alot of issues though.

[Unabomber]

The fact that even with VAR they still get it wrong sums it up. Might as well save everyone the time and just scrap it. This season whilst some of the reffing has been atrocious, at least when the ball goes in you can just have a look at the lino and then know if it is a goal or not. I doubt any match going fan will say they prefer VAR. 

[Nalis]

Dont know what the solution is, biggest gripe is the waiting around. Something like 30 second limit on a decision and if still nothing then the on field decision stands?

 

Goal technology is brillant, quick and only fails on a rare occasion, I know thats more factual than a late challenge but thats the benchmark.

 

 

[grobyfox1990]

We had refs making decisions on the spot for years. And everyone moaned and whined and bleated on about how other sports use tech so why can’t we. Now we do use tech. And everyone moans and whines and bleats on about how they want rid of the tech.