VAR's job is to be fair - not just equitable ! Last night Maguire 'scored' a goal for Man Utd - a 'goal' that came from him in a very offside position. VAR was not being used. The blind idiot with the flag had caught a dose of rigor mortis in his arm - so the 'goal' stood...and Leicester were cheated. I found it incredible that the linesman could make such a howler - especially given that the ball that Maguire received, had come from a static point on the pitch - the linesman really couldn't have been deceived by the relevant positions of the Man Utd forward line when the ball was 'played.' HOWEVER - I am aware of the FA decision not to use VAR in this 'round' of games .... to give all clubs ( whose grounds does not have VAR), the same 'conditions.' I thought that VAR was supposed to correct seriously wrong decisions - to ensure justice in crucial aspects of the game !!.... The use of VAR at last night's game would have exposed the unfair award of Maguire's 'goal.'...surely, VAR would have been 'fair' for both teams ?....... just as much as the lack of VAR would have been 'equitable' (( I didn't say 'fair' )), for two sides playing a game where VAR technology isn't available...... if you have VAR available - why NOT use it ?
In that situation the 'Lino' has one job to check for the offside, it was wasn't even a close call! Should have gone to specsavers
I see that VAR was up to its' usual tricks in Liverpool last night........Even Satan has said that Tarkowski's 'challenge' was dangerous enough for the Everton player to be sent straight to Hell !........... apparently a reckless tackle does not qualify for a red card (( according to Law 12 of the game )) !!!! - - I defy anyone to drive a car recklessly and see what punishment is given ((( instead of an unfortunate accident because of merely driving carelessly ))).... In my estimation, anything done recklessly means that there is no consideration for the consequences. ...... and as for the offside Liverpool goal -- How on Earth can the position of Diaz not be considered as an interference in the passage of play ? Diaz is right in the thick of the action...His position meant that the Everton defenders had to treat him as a 'roundabout' - to negotiate - to get to the ball ! - it mattered not if Diaz made no attempt to play the ball - He was, at very least, a distraction** to the Everton defence - and therefore was 'taking part' in the otherwise well-taken (no)goal. ** - I wish that Gills players were a distraction more often for opposing defenders !
whilst I'm moaning about VAR**........... How did Pickford not get any card for his disgraceful lunge on Nunez towards the end of the game ? This was another bad 'tackle' - which deserved some punishment....... I suppose you'll remind me that the ball was 'dead' - because the ref had blown his whistle moments before - - so does that mean it's acceptable to chop down a player - just because the play had ' stopped' ? .. The referee could have given Pickford a yellow card..... At least he got it half right --- by giving Nunez a card for pathetically rolling back onto the pitch to receive medical attention.......... Don't get me wrong - the yellow card was correct - but -was Nunez really worse than Pickford - and as bad as Tarkowski ?!!! ** To be fair to VAR - the decisions in this post of mine, were down to the idiots with the whistle and flags.
I had an overdose of sensory receptors ! - but was left 'wondering' about VAR. I've just returned from Spain - and took in the Barcelona v Madrid game -- which was WOW +++. The first half was the best I've ever seen... Barcelona took nearly 30 minutes to really 'get going' - then ripped Madrid apart... The only surprise was it was only 4-2 to Barca at half time... I've seen Messi score 4 at the Camp Nou - but - Yamal and Raphina were beyond awesome.... The atmosphere was superelectric - and continued after the game -- thousands of motor bikes, scooters and cars blaring their horns, and waving flags... The game wasn't without controversy.. Madrid were initially awarded 2 penalties - but one was cancelled for offside. Madrid had a goal ruled out for offside -- and not their first goal - where Mbappe was clearly offside --- what happened to VAR ? surely offside is routinely checked when a goal is scored ??.... Barcelona had two goals cancelled - including one from an outstanding move in the dying seconds -- the crowd went wild - with a pitch invasion as fans thought the 'goal' had made it 5-3 with only a few seconds left to play...... The referee also denied Barcelona at least one penalty - including twice overruling VAR recommendation..... The quality of football was breathtaking - I'm still 'buzzing'. ..... ..... so - why am I 'wondering' about VAR (( other than the dreadful decision to allow Mbappe's first goal ?? - - I know that we're having semi-automated offside decisions - which technically is a good thing - BUT - how far will it go ? In one phase, Mbappe was clearly offside - but went on to have a shot - which was turned around for a corner.... What if Madrid had scored from the corner - I am left with the impression that a goal would have stood - and yet with semi-automated offside there should be no issue to adjudicate before a corner is taken ----- but I won't hold my breath.... To me it seems that the technology available should make decisions simpler to make - but - I expect some of you will ask me how far 'back' do we take the play -- however- I believe that when a team gains an obvious advantage of a corner -it will (should) take only a few seconds to check.
Two wrongs ! I get a little irritated when people say that ' two wrongs make a right ! ' No it doesn't - it makes two wrongs - neither of which equal one 'right.' VAR at the FA Cup final is having a marvelous day.... I expect that its' wondering just how many wrongs it will perform before it can get something right.
VAR is an absolute waste of time. Championship games were far more exciting this season than the Prem, and I put some of that down to the Championship not constantly referring to a technology that kills it for the match going supporter, as well as those viewing at home. The quicker they bin this off the better, but sadly the dumb arses and money men will not. I've got no problem with goal-line technology because it's instant and there are no ifs and buts, every fan accepts the decision sent to the refs watch, so until they find a way of reaching such instant decisions for other rules, without human intervention, we should stick it in the bin, it's killing the game and certainly not improving it. And not forgetting cheating has got worse under VAR, because players learn how to manipulate it, I'd rather a wrong decision, than one we pretend to get right or one that was manufactured for the cameras. There are also too many penalties in the game, about time we sorted this out as well while we are about it.
