For the first time in English football Video Assistant Referees will be used in a competitive match. In tonight’s FA Cup game between Brighton and Crystal Palace, precise video technology will determine referee decisions. But what is VAR and how does it work? Will it be a success?
First of all, let’s get one thing straight – VAR is a relatively new thing to football. English football has never encountered technology on this scale, where assistants sit in the background of a stadium and effectively review every controversial decision on the pitch. Over the years world football has developed into a sport full of bad referee decisions, dubious penalties, diving and red cards. Now the videos will capture it all through one lense, but it is really worth it?
In other sports such as tennis and rugby union, video technology has been used to great effect. Tennis matches at Wimbledon have Hawk Eye to catch whether the ball is in or out of the court. Rugby Union uses the referee assistant to determine tries, red cards or forward passes. Football on the other hand is a new kid on the block when it comes to technology. Goal-line technology is already fitted into the Premier League and EFL Championship. At the last World Cup in 2014, France beat Honduras 2-0 with Karim Benzema’s goal, needing technology to confirm it was over the white line. Goals are a given whether it’s over the line or not, but what about the key decisions?
The first question to ask is – what are the benefits? In all honesty, getting penalty decisions are key to football teams especially if a club is fighting relegation. Red cards and fouls have to reviewed and offsides are another form of controversy. Assistant referees on the touchline are already the official guardians to deciding the offside rule, but for some football fans they need more assistance.
The second question is – how effective can it be? VAR does have its negatives! By introducing the technology, there is a concern that it will waste playing time, but surely that’s a good thing for fans who deserve more action! Getting decisions right is imperative to a good football game and nowadays referees need the help.
VAR should be a tool to use with minimal interference. It has good benefits but the problems may lie when making all the small decisions which look incorrect (e.g. is it a goal-kick or a corner-kick?)
Here in Gloucestershire there are different opinions as to whether VAR will be a success. Rhys Taylor from Tewkesbury, who’s training to become a qualified FA referee believes it has a good benefit. Rhys says: “I think that it is the way football is going and in some cases it is beneficial to a referee. The referee should be able to make the decision on his own”.
In a poll conducted by Park Life News and Sport, most votes turn towards VAR being a success.
Video Assisstant Referee (VAR), will it be a success? #football #FACup @BASportsJourno @CTFCofficial @GlosFA
— Park Life (@UOGParkLife) January 8, 2018
So we will have to wait and see whether VAR works in English football. We must not forget that tonight’s match will only trial the technology.
Brighton take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup tonight and VAR is waiting on standby!
