I've said this before. When leagues sell the TV rights, put in a clause that where a referee's decision is being discussed, the incident must be shown from a long distance camera at full speed only. Without stating it, that would be a way to stop the endless analysis of referees' decisions that has brought us to this dog's dinner of an idea. If pundits didn't focus on twenty slow motion replays from every possible angle before confidently stating the referee was wrong, this wouldn't even be being discussed. This isn't an empty threat: if they bring it into every game I'll almost certainly stop going to watch football. Vin
I have said exactly this from before day 1. Just have a bloke connected to the referee and saying something like that in his ear. Keep it simple and don’t stop the game.
Thank goodness the PL have voted against it. We just have it that minor skirmish called the World Cup instead, not to mention our semifinal! They really need to iron the wrinkles out before it’s used in competitive games.
Yup, and do it one step at at time. They shouldn't be doing it for subjective penalties until they've at least got offsides perfected.
As with most things in life; there is nothing wrong with the technology - its the effing idiots trying to manage it thats the issue. As usual - the half-wits who run football have made a pigs ears of a very good idea. Should be used for the World Cup if only because its a sham in the first instance to be holding it in Russia.
The point is that it isn't pure technology....unless it is something blatant, all you are getting is an opinion from another person. Or causing an even longer delay....asking the ref to review his opinion. and on top of that giving footballers another chance to whinge to the referee. Where is the immediacy and excitement of a game if the crowd have to wait to discover if a goal has been given. It works in cricket....a game of natural pauses with a crowd used to periods of boredom....but it has also had a negative effect there. Umpires who avoid making decisions.....even obvious ones such as run outs by a nautical mile....and batsmen hovering on the pitch while the bowler's feet are checked (because umpires never watch for that now). I think that the video referee should interfere only if he has seen something obvious and instantaneous...and wait for it....no one on the pitch (including the referee) should have the right to ask for a review. The game would carry on with fewer arguments from the players and fewer interruptions to play. P.s. no jobsworth should act as VAR or all the good work would be undone....has to be a foul that matters.
Yeah, but it works in cricket and rugby so why can't it work in football? It's use in footy is limited IMO.
The reason for the success of football is that it is a relatively simple fast game. Anyone with a ball and a few friends can have a shot at playing it, so it catches on quickly. Rugby and cricket have esoteric elements....where you discover an unknown rule after decades of watching. I enjoy watching international rugby, but you just know the play is going to break up and some random foul is going to be given. Cricket (which I enjoy) is a slow game anyway, so little harm is done by referrals....though it has damaged the confidence of umpires in their own decision making. VAR will no doubt be introduced to the detriment of the game imo....I can see a time when people leap to their feet for a goal, then quickly sit down and wait for the decision. And with so much activity often in the goal mouth there will be a pause whilst things are considered. Immediacy and excitement is gone.....but hey, we'll get the right decision, won't we? Sometimes. Won't matter to future generations who will never know what they have lost.
My biggest concern for VAR is if I am not at a game but watching on the television. If we score I could be anywhere in the house/garden/street celebrating and that could be somewhat disappointing if I return to the television to see it’s still 0-0.
Does your local pub landlord know you well enough to wait a bit when you offer to buy drinks all round?
I totally agree with you and your other comment above. My post was meant to be sarcastic regarding people whose argument is that "if it works for one sport it'll work for others" when there are obvious differences. As I said before VAR has limited use in football IMO.
