VAR. Since its introduction to the Premier League in August 2019 it has had its highs and lows. Moments have introduced the correct decision although several have sparked controversy among fans, players and managers. With the introduction of the pitch-side monitor this season, the number of these incidents has only increased. Its arrival has questioned the rules of football and at moments, as a result, some have even claimed it to have ruined football.
Rules are not the only area impacted by VAR though. Many fans feel it slows down the process of the game and ruins the atmosphere with checks after their team have scored. So the continuation still angers some football fans within the leagues in which it is utilised.
One rule in particular that VAR has changed countless goals for is the offside rule…
Prior to VAR the offside rule was based on the linesmen and so was done on their view. Now VAR rules any part of the body in front of the last player offside to the finest margins. Nevertheless, the rulings in most cases follow the letter of the law that states that any body part can be ruled offside. Hence this has resulted in a fairer game.
But on the other hand, there are cases where the officials have taken it too far with the tightening of the rule and have ruled out goals that should have stood. In November 2020 when Leeds played Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Patrick Bamford scored a goal that went on to be disallowed for offside. As all players do when asking for the ball, Bamford put his arm out in front to show Klich the direction he wanted the pass. Yet this time it was decided that put him in front of the Palace defender. However, not only are his body and feet behind Clyne but if he went on to score with his offside arm then the goal would be a handball and disallowed on that basis.
Therefore, the technology needs to be changed to prevent more unfair game-changing events such as this one occurring.
There have also been some very high stake moments where the controversy of decisions has potentially changed the outcome drastically and caused widespread disagreement among football fans. An example of this, is clearly the Sissoko handball in the Champion’s League final in 2019.
The road to Madrid was thrilling for both Tottenham and Liverpool fans. Yet the match turned out to be somewhat disappointing in contrast. Within the first thirty seconds Sadio Mané hit the ball from close range and it struck the edge of Sissoko’s sleeve. Upon a VAR check it was ruled a penalty which Mo Salah went on to score. However, the ball did not actually come into contact below the sleeve-line - instead it hit his armpit which under the updated handball rule would not constitute a penalty. This questionable decision changed the entire atmosphere of the match leaving many Tottenham fans feeling cheated. Furthermore, the close distance away from the ball at which Sissoko was standing when it was struck gave the player no chance to bring his arm down and as well as this, Sissoko is not even looking at the ball so for me the outcome was incredibly harsh.
There are lots of people who believe the penalty was fair, due to the unnatural position of the midfielder’s arm, but to me this is not a penalty and very similar handballs since have not been given.
It also seems as though Mané is aiming for his arm given the direction in which he is looking which further backs up my view that this was not a penalty and that the tension of the competition aided the VAR official’s decision.
To me, technology has huge potential in football in the form of VAR, goal-line technology and other means but before its introduction it needs to be fair. The room for human and computer error so far has proved too problematic for something with the power to change the outcome of a match so critically. I believe VAR has a big future in football but the number of issues it has already caused suggests changes need to be made and quickly if people’s attitude is going to shift. A common sense human overlay to the technology still needs to be applied.
Written by Jasmine Boehler
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