VAR

[Percy McCarthy]

I absolutely don't want VAR scrapping. Everyone thought refs were bent before anyway and it was much worse than it is now. It will just lead to the "big" teams getting even more of the decisions. As mentioned, it is integral to our high line, it's just how we play. That would be all fucked. Unless this is separate to the new Semi-Automated Offsides?

Agree. Also those two handball goals at west ham and the push in the build up to chelsea putting the ball in the net to make it 2-3. The referee was giving those goals.

Yep.

[Percy McCarthy]

VAR is not the problem…the poor standard of officials, poor implementation and bastardised rules are the actual issues that need addressing. Fix those issues, and bring it more in line with how it’s used in Europe or the World Cup, and VAR will be in a much better place.

If you think it’s bad now, then just imagine how bad it will be when this current crop of officials are solely responsible for onfield, and giving the Sky6 blatantly bias decisions…it would be an absolute clusterfuck from week one.

Be very careful what you wish for.

Spot on.

[Percy McCarthy]

BBC Source
The Premier League’s figures show the number of correct decisions in matches has increased from 82% before VAR was introduced to 96% currently. With semi-automated offside technology due to be introduced early next season, it is felt that figure will increase even further.

I have no idea how that is calculated but I am definitely in the "be careful what you wish for" camp. There will definitely be more errors without VAR, I guess it's just whether you think that is outweighed by what it takes away from the natural flow of the game. Personally, I'm used to it now. I would rather it was just improved.

Absolutely, and more errors in favour of you know which clubs.

[manic-road]

Last night was another prime example of poor officials, Anthony Gordon was caught straight down the achilles in the penalty area, ref says no and so it goes to VAR to check who confirms no penalty. Until the EPL has competent officials their will be weekly arguments about decisions. The same officials making poor decisions on the pitch are the same officials making decisions for VAR.

[Neil Hawkes]

If play is already stopped for a VAR review, then why is the Ref not looking at the monitor at the same time as the VAR team are?
That way a discussion can take place with them all looking at the same video references, reducing the period of stoppage.

[Footy-Vill]

Last night was another prime example of poor officials, Anthony Gordon was caught straight down the achilles in the penalty area, ref says no and so it goes to VAR to check who confirms no penalty. Until the EPL has competent officials their will be weekly arguments about decisions. The same officials making poor decisions on the pitch are the same officials making decisions for VAR.

If play is already stopped for a VAR review, then why is the Ref not looking at the monitor at the same time as the VAR team are?
That way a discussion can take place with them all looking at the same video references, reducing the period of stoppage.

One idea I have is that they use a challenge aspect, similar to tennis and cricket, where reviews and challenges by the manager or captain are only utilised when they think necessary.

Means it is the responsibility of the players or managers rather than the official. The game is officiated as if without hindrance or stoppage off field, but only when a three-challenge rule is activated does the video review system come into effect.
As well any decision the official wants to make of course to accept or reject taking it to VAR

[aldridgeboy]

That semi automated offside would be an improvement.it seems to work well abroad. And stops that messing about for ages with drawing lines.
I’m not against each team having a set  umber of challenges either.

I’d like a time limit brought in. If it’s supposed to be “ clear and obvious “ errors , then they should be able to be seen in 30 seconds. Any longer , than it’s not clear and obvious ?

So I’d be for tweaking it as opposed to scrapping it
I think.

Equally I don’t think I’d be devastated if it were to be scrapped.

[Exeter 77]

I think there will be VAR in the Championship next season so we could be in the position of not having it in the top division but it still be operating in the second tier.

[Nev]

I agree that the officials are not good, but it can't just be "they need to be better", how? Training, ex player involvement? This needs to be quantified and implemented.

 The bias towards certain clubs goes all the way back to Ferguson and his appalling bullying of match officials, now laughed at as "Fergie Time" yet it was based on intimidation, Wenger was as bad, now Klopp and that arsehole at Woolwich earlier this season. Backed up by the media so that every ref knows, a poor decision given against us won't generate half as much fuss as one against the like of Liverpool (hence the lack of bookings on Monday) VAR has made little difference, 5 secs for an offside and move swiftly on with no on screen evidence or a very brief replay compared to 5 mins to prove Burnley had a player offside.

The Gordon challenge last night was a perfect example, you have a review but they still come to the same (generally accepted incorrect but there is no factual evidence, just conjecture) decision so do we have a VAR for the VAR, and then a fourth look from someone else?

As for the increase in "correct" decisions, unless it's from goal line technology or an unarguable offside then it's subjective and one person may say it was a foul another may not so who decides it's correct??

As the ball hit the back of the net on Monday for our third goal, I stood stock still because I feared a VAR check would rule it out, from my angle behind the goal Duran could've been off, and that robbery of the unbridled ecstasy and joy by the desire for perfection is why I detest VAR.

[lovejoy]

I support VAR, it shows up the bias of the refs even more. The refs need to improve and the communications in the stadium too, for example, they should say last night why the trip on Gordon wasn’t given, like they do in rugby.
I agree the process should speed up but this will reduce accuracy.
Oh and they need to clarify handball, most people, myself included, do not understand it anymore.

[Smithy]

As others have said, I've no problem with scrapping the VAR element of "human beings reviewing videos of things the ref might or might not have missed", but if they scrap it for offsides, I think we'd be net losers in terms of the impact. Our high line is SO important to the way we play, and we're so well drilled at enforcing it, that we would inevitably end up shipping goals that would otherwise be deemed offside.

If it's to be semi-automated offsides with the new system, and a change only to the human element of VAR, then I'm happy with it.

[chrisw1]

BBC Source
The Premier League’s figures show the number of correct decisions in matches has increased from 82% before VAR was introduced to 96% currently. With semi-automated offside technology due to be introduced early next season, it is felt that figure will increase even further.

I have no idea how that is calculated but I am definitely in the "be careful what you wish for" camp. There will definitely be more errors without VAR, I guess it's just whether you think that is outweighed by what it takes away from the natural flow of the game. Personally, I'm used to it now. I would rather it was just improved.

This is where I'm at.  I feel the implementation is really poor, but still think the concept is right.  I think the new offside system will be a vast improvement.

That said, I thought Durans second was handball so hardly even jumped up from my seat expecting it to be disallowed.

[Exeter 77]

Of all the VAR decisions offsides are the ones which take longest and still often look contentious due to the camera not being in line or frame rate. The semi-automated version should help with that. For other decisions the VAR officials need to be separated from the PGMOL referees so it isn't just an arse-covering exercise. Overseas refs on VAR would be a simple solution.

[Nev]

BBC Source
The Premier League’s figures show the number of correct decisions in matches has increased from 82% before VAR was introduced to 96% currently. With semi-automated offside technology due to be introduced early next season, it is felt that figure will increase even further.

I have no idea how that is calculated but I am definitely in the "be careful what you wish for" camp. There will definitely be more errors without VAR, I guess it's just whether you think that is outweighed by what it takes away from the natural flow of the game. Personally, I'm used to it now. I would rather it was just improved.

This is where I'm at.  I feel the implementation is really poor, but still think the concept is right.  I think the new offside system will be a vast improvement.

That said, I thought Durans second was handball so hardly even jumped up from my seat expecting it to be disallowed.

Same here, but as I have said, how do they come to that figure of 96%? Was the Gordon one last night deemed correct or incorrect? It's subjective.

[PhilVill]

Make changes over summer and give it next season. If as many cock ups and absolute howlers are made as this year (with the stats to be monitored by an independent body), scrap it completely as the human element will have killed it. A shame, as in principle, its a great thing.