Standard of Refereeing

[ChicagoLion]

The problem now is that they have lost all credibility and it is no wonder when you see some horror decisions that people start to believe that these are not just mistakes, particularly when VAR either endorses the error or fails to correct it.

[Ian.]

I thought the first one Man City got at the weekend was ridiculous.

Was that the first penalty? The ref wasn’t going to give it until a Man City player shouted at him. It was two players going for the ball and the attacker still got his shot off. VAR did not intervene.

Then in the same game the ref waved play on when Harland was taken out from the back when he was clean through. The ref was then corrected by VAR.

The ref got both wrong, but what I don’t get, is VAR corrected him on one decision and not the the other.

[Clampy]

Yes the first penalty and yep, the Man City player did manage to get a shot in. Compare that to the third one Forest didn't get when Ashley Young took their player out from behind. It's all a bit farcical.

[Vegas]

The issue is not “refs are shit”. The issue is that a) it is a very hard game to ref, and increasingly hard (faster and more cheating/simulation); b) every decision is scrutinised with replays from many angles so errors and perceived injustices are amplified; and c) the set up of VAR is ambiguous and flawed (there is not an objective truth on many or even most decisions, so the concept of a tv replay to get it right simply doesn’t work for most incidents - it just provides another opinion).

[Footy-Vill]

Szymon Marciniak doing Real v Bayern and Daniele Orsato who officated the Champions League semi yesterday referee are top quality in my book.

[Mister E]

The issue is not “refs are shit”. The issue is that a) it is a very hard game to ref, and increasingly hard (faster and more cheating/simulation); b) every decision is scrutinised with replays from many angles so errors and perceived injustices are amplified; and c) the set up of VAR is ambiguous and flawed (there is not an objective truth on many or even most decisions, so the concept of a tv replay to get it right simply doesn’t work for most incidents - it just provides another opinion).

I think it's more that VAR has given the on-field ref a get-out-of-jail card: the ref can (as happened in our recent Chelsea game) make a non-decision on the pitch knowing that VAR will provide a decision.
Whereas elsewhere, it seems that refs see VAR as a genuine complementary and additional tool that can be deployed in extremis.

[dcdavecollett]

VAR seems to be caught between 'not re-reffing the game' and the old pals' act between refs and the VAR official.

Presumably, the former was why we didn't get that early penalty at Brighton.

[adrenachrome]

I think that we will get a new standard of referee that can interact with VAR. Also, there will be better communication with the fans on crucial decisions.

Look to the NFL. When I lived in the U.S. I used to say on lots of issues, we'll been doing this sooner or later. Usually, it turned out to be sooner. Doesn't necessarily mean better.

[ChicagoLion]

They rushed the use of VAR and it has caused more Problems than it has solved.
The big issue as I have said many times is there PGMOL, it’s a disgrace that you have a for profit unregulated business officiating football.
There is incompetence, protectionism and a wiff of corruption.

[dcdavecollett]

Yep.

Should have introduced it for line decisions only, monitor how that went and possibly add to it for other things, after consulting coaches and players. Maybe even fans!!

Doesn't help when there appears to be a new handball law every season which VAR has to adjudicate on.

[Footy-Vill]

Ref watch 24/25

Match officials’ club allegiances are to be made public this season - follows the furore over Nottm Forest questioning the integrity of VAR Stuart Attwell. Refs’ chief Howard Webb revealed the move after being questioned by @TimesSport.

[Footy-Vill]

Match 1 season 24/25 Ref Watch
Hartlepool fan  Tony Harrington ref today v West Ham
Fourth official: Andrew Kitchen.
VAR: John Brooks. (Doesn't take charge of Leicester Matches )

[Bad English]

How about the fucking twat that gave a penalty to West Ham today?

[supertom]

Dreadful decision made worse by the fact VAR cleared it too, likely with the remit that they want fewer decisions overturned.
I thought there was probably just as much in the Torres incident which came later, which was also in no way, shape or form a penalty (and rightly was waved off quickly).

[pablo_picasso]

Dog-shit decision.

Made even worse, not only by the fact that VAR bottled saying it was a dog-shit decision, but then more salt rubbed into the wound by these absolute vacuums of any sign of character who just regurgitate the garbage they are told to say making the claim that VAR were right not to overrule the dog-shit decision because we don't want VAR to re-ref games.

Then why the fuck is it being asked  to check it in the first place if this one wasn't "clear & obvious" bullshit?!?

Fuck them all...