VAR: A Technology Dividing Opinions in Football

VAR has brought more fairness to football, but it has also sparked controversy regarding the flow of the game, subjective decisions, and millimeter-precise offside rulings

The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was introduced to football with the promise of reducing errors and bringing more fairness to the game. The idea of a system that could correct referees’ mistaken decisions seemed like a natural evolution for the sport. However, despite its good intentions, VAR has also brought new problems and sparked heated debates among fans, players, and coaches. Let’s explore how VAR works, its applications, and the main controversies surrounding the technology.

What is VAR?

The VAR is a video system that assists the on-field referee in four specific situations: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity in fouls. It uses cameras placed around the stadium to review incidents in real-time and help the referee make the right call.

The system has a team of video assistant referees who review suspicious plays from a control room and communicate with the main referee. If there’s any doubt, the referee can be advised to review the play on a pitch-side monitor.

When Can VAR Be Used?

VAR can only be used in four well-defined circumstances:

  • Goals: VAR reviews whether there were any irregularities in the lead-up to a goal, such as offside, a foul, or a handball.
  • Penalties: It checks whether the awarding or non-awarding of a penalty was correct. This includes determining if the foul occurred inside or outside the box.
  • Red Cards: VAR intervenes in cases of direct red card incidents to ensure the referee’s decision was correct or to check if the punishment was too harsh.
  • Mistaken Identity: VAR assists when the referee wrongly penalizes a player, correcting the identity of the offender.

The Review Process

When a controversial play happens, VAR begins the video review process. If the VAR team detects a potential error, they communicate with the on-field referee. The referee then decides whether to trust the VAR’s assessment or to view the play personally on the sideline monitor.

This process can take a few minutes, depending on the complexity of the incident. This is where some of the main criticisms of VAR arise: the lengthy reviews can disrupt the flow of the game, frustrating players and fans alike.

Controversies Surrounding VAR

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Delays in Decision-Making:

One of the major problems with VAR is how long it can take to review incidents. In many cases, the match is paused for several minutes, disrupting the game’s rhythm. In a dynamic sport like football, these breaks for analysis create frustration for both players and the crowd, who often lose enthusiasm during the wait.

Subjective Interpretation:

While VAR uses technology, the final decision still rests with the referee’s interpretation. Many cases involving penalties, offsides, or fouls remain subjective, even with video assistance. This means that errors can still occur, and controversy over what constitutes the “correct” decision remains.

Offsides by Millimeters:

VAR has been criticized for its strict application of offside rules, often deciding cases by the slimmest margins. Players can be ruled offside by millimeters, such as the tip of a toe or a shoulder, sparking debates over whether the criterion should be so precise in such a fast-paced sport. These millimeter offsides frustrate players and fans, who question whether this truly reflects the original intent of the offside rule.

The Importance of VAR and Its Evolution

Despite the criticisms, VAR has achieved its goal of correcting critical errors. Many games have been decided more fairly thanks to the system, such as when clear offsides were flagged or non-existent penalties were correctly overturned. The technology has brought more accuracy to crucial moments and has helped avoid historical mistakes in modern football.

However, for VAR to be fully accepted and appreciated, certain improvements are necessary. Quicker reviews are one area that needs addressing, as well as greater transparency in decision-making. Another important point would be to adjust how millimeter offsides are handled, ensuring the rule’s essence isn’t lost.

Justice or Controversy?

VAR has undoubtedly brought more fairness to football, correcting many mistakes that could have been game-changing. However, its implementation isn’t perfect, and like any change in the sport, it faces resistance and criticism. The debate over its efficiency and impact on the game will likely continue for some time, until the necessary adjustments are made to strike the perfect balance between technology and the flow of the game.

In the meantime, VAR remains a divisive topic. For some, it’s the solution football has needed for decades—bringing more just and accurate decisions. For others, it has disrupted the spontaneity and emotion that made football unique. The future of VAR will depend on how the sport balances these two sides, and this will shape the direction of future generations of the game.

Cristian Bessone

Editor do Sports Context

Jornalista em formação pela Unesp Bauru.

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