VAR in the Premier League: A failed experiment undermining football’s essence

The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League was heralded as a revolutionary step towards eliminating clear and obvious errors in football officiating.

The promise was simple: use technology to assist referees in making accurate decisions, thereby ensuring fairness. However, as the seasons have unfolded, it has become increasingly evident that VAR, while noble in principle, has morphed into a disruptive force that threatens the very fabric of the game.

The spirit of football: An art, not a science

Football has always been a game of passion, unpredictability and human error. It’s a sport where moments of brilliance and mistakes coexist, creating the drama that fans cherish. The essence of football lies in its fluidity and the spontaneous joy it brings.

Introducing a system that aims for scientific precision disrupts this natural flow. The game is not an exact science; it’s an art form where “stolen centimetres” and marginal calls add to its charm and debate.

Recent VAR controversies: A week of chaos

The past week in the Premier League has been marred by VAR decisions that have left players, managers, and fans bewildered and frustrated. These incidents underscore the system’s inherent flaws and its detrimental impact on the game.

Spurs, Chelsea: A six-minute debacle

In the clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, Spurs’ midfielder Pape Matar Sarr believed he had scored a crucial equaliser. However, the goal was subjected to a protracted six-minute VAR review, eventually being disallowed for a perceived foul in the buildup.

Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, expressed his exasperation post-match, questioning the validity of a system that requires such lengthy deliberations for “clear and obvious” errors.

In his Australian way he lamented, “The game is moving towards excessive technological interference… soon, we might have AI replacing referees and players.” 

Liverpool, Everton: Tarkowski’s escaped red card

During the Merseyside derby, Everton’s James Tarkowski committed a reckless tackle on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister. Despite the dangerous nature of the challenge, Tarkowski received only a yellow card, with VAR opting not to intervene.

This decision drew widespread criticism, with many arguing that it was a clear red card offense. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later admitted the mistake, highlighting the inconsistencies in VAR’s application. 

The mighty Aston Villa, Brighton: The unawarded penalty

In another contentious incident, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey appeared to be fouled in the penalty area by Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood. Despite appeals and a VAR review, no penalty was awarded.

Commentators and fans were left baffled, questioning the criteria used by VAR officials in making such determinations. 

And these three were just this week!

The paradox of “clear and obvious” errors

VAR was introduced to rectify “clear and obvious” mistakes and that is how people were sold on it. Yet, the frequent need for referees to consult pitch-side monitors for extended periods contradicts this mandate.

If an error is truly clear and obvious, it shouldn’t require minutes of scrutiny to identify. This prolonged decision-making process disrupts the game’s rhythm and diminishes the on-field referee’s authority.

It's also going against the game. The game is subjective. It's written in the rules.

The human element: Football’s core

Football’s beauty lies in its human element—the players, the managers’ tactics, and yes, the referees’ decisions, right or wrong. While technology has its place, over-reliance on it risks stripping the game of its soul.

The debates, the controversies, and the discussions over contentious decisions are integral to football’s allure. VAR’s attempt to sanitise the game of errors is not only futile but also detrimental.

It feels to this blogger that there must be another reason for VAR. If someone truly loved the game, they'd not be supporting the use of VAR, not now, not after all this time.

Conclusion: Time to reevaluate VAR’s place

VAR was a well-intentioned experiment aimed at enhancing fairness in football. However, its implementation has revealed significant flaws that undermine the game’s essence.

Football is not about forensic analysis and technological interventions; it’s about passion, unpredictability and the human experience. It’s time for the Premier League to acknowledge that VAR, in its current form, is a failed experiment.

The focus should return to empowering on-field referees and embracing the imperfections that make football the beloved sport it is. Goal line technology is good, but when a decision goes from one referee to another referee somewhere else, watching the TV and taking instructions from someone else, it's not fair and it's not right.

Sorry, did I just suggest that the VAR is listening to someone else? Surely not!