13 Feb 2019 22:04:53
Just caught the Ajax - Madrid game and again felt that VAR takes things out of context making decisions which are too arbitrary on technical grounds. Didn't think there was enough in it to overturn the decision of the first goal. Also thought Ajax had an argument for a foul in the build up to Madrid's 2nd goal.

Why can't they just do it like Cricket? Teams can ask for VAR for goal related situations (up to 2 wrong attempts a game then you can't anymore) . VAR can overrule the ref only if ref is significantly wrong.

The current rules just allow for lazy refereeing. I am confident that in a season or two we will no longer be seeing any offside flags as linesmen would rather play it safe and wait for VAR to rule it out. Same with penalties.

Rant over

Klopping.

1.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 22:19:35
I didn’t watch that game but I’ve got to say whenever I’ve watched a game with VAR in it kind of sucks all the fun out of it, especially when you get a notification that VAR is being looked at behind the scenes, means you can’t concentrate on the game because you know it’s about to be stopped.
I had mixed feelings before it came in but for me I don’t like it, would rather we just had competent referees.

2.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 00:03:29
I agree with both of you. I can’t stand it, it just ruins the game. We’ll be in a position where players and fans won’t celebrate until the goal is reviewed by VAR and the ref points to the centre circle.
I don’t know about you but I want to jump and scream as the ball hits the net not on the blow of a whistle or the point of an arm.

Then there’s those decisions that people just disagree on. Take Mane last season (I think it was against Stoke) when he was clearly kicked in the ankle in the box. He’s not immediately gone down so got booked for diving and some said it was a dive and others said there was contact so it’s a pen. How will VAR help there?

If you’re going to use it then it has to be for offside decisions (if they look at it in line with the last defender we should get it 100% right) and ball out of play type decisions only. Black and white decisions. Otherwise it will cause more problems for the game than it solves.

3.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 00:52:51
If you have to have it, then use it properly. There was a flag raised for offside early in a counter attack. The Ajax player was actually in his own half when the ball was played. Isn't VAr there so that play continues, if he scores, then review the offside?

On a second note, I though Ajax were outstanding in the first half. Their pressing and intensity was brilliant. They created so many good attacks, just didn't have that striker to finish things. Madrid were totally outplayed in that half.

4.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 05:20:22
to the original post the way it is used in cricket will just make football unbearable. teams will just gather around captain and ask him to call for VAR and in football most of the decisions are fifty-fifty so VAR can hardly judge a tackle.
VAR should be strictly restricted to offside and goal line tech. whenever a goal is scored just check for offside and whether the ball crossed the line, everything else should be human and as it used to be.

5.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 11:19:03
Tough one this as I like the human element when it comes to decision making. VAR seems to slow the game down and it becomes almost robotic.

I do feel however that, the quality of the refereeing needs to be addressed especially in England.

I'd love to hear Ed02's take on it if you have the time?

{Ed002's Note - Largely if it could be left at it is with the referee making the decision then that would be best. Perhaps use VAR for critical goal or no goal decisions but it has to be quick. I agree the refereeing has gone downhill - and this seems to be more of an issue in England than elsewhere. That needs to be addressed regardless.}

6.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 14:04:57
Ak, but var is there to eradicate human error. For me it needs to review everything or nothing, I know they can’t review every decision as the game would become slow, boring and just unbearable. But why have it if a human error can then lead to a completely fair goal. One instance that comes to mind, Chelsea vs Derby (I believe) in the cup, derby should of had a free kick in the corner but instead Chelsea got a throwing (which actually came of a Chelsea man) straight from the throw the balls whipped in and they score. Nothing wrong with the goal except to two wrong decisions leading up to it. Var gives the goal because they can’t review the previous errors.

7.) 14 Feb 2019
14 Feb 2019 18:28:40
Completely agree Ed. Maybe if they put the money from VAR into better training the referee's we wouldn't be having this conversation?

I'm sure Benny Baller has some good insight on this debate if he's about.