As the English Premier League prepares to convene on June 6th, 2024, to vote on the future of Video Assistant Referees for the upcoming season, the debate surrounding its use has reached a fever pitch.
The use of VAR was introduced to the EPL in the 2019-2020 season, aimed at reducing errors and increasing accuracy in refereeing decisions. However, its implementation has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it has disrupted the flow of the game and created more controversy than clarity.
There are also complaints that the rules are too strict. Goals can be disallowed for the tiniest of margins. Others say those kinds of reviews are taking the joy out of the game because nobody can celebrate properly until VAR has done its thing. VAR has also missed or made incorrect decisions during the course of the seasons, resulting in the Head of Premier League referees, Howard Webb having to apologise to clubs for mistakes. All 20 Premier League clubs will vote on the future of VAR at a meeting on 6 June. Premier League rules state that any rule changes need a two-thirds majority, meaning 14 out of the 20 clubs need to vote in favour of scrapping VAR for it to happen.
One of the primary criticisms of VAR is its inconsistent application. Fans and players alike have expressed frustration when similar incidents are treated differently, leading to confusion and a lack of trust in the system. Additionally, the strict adherence to rules has led to goals being disallowed for minor infractions, which many argue goes against the spirit of the game.
Another issue with VAR is the time it takes to make decisions. While the intention is to ensure accuracy, the lengthy delays have disrupted the flow of the game, leading to a disjointed and frustrating experience for players and spectators alike. The constant interruptions have also changed the way teams approach the game, with some opting to delay celebrations or wait for VAR confirmation before restarting play.
The human element of VAR has also been called into question. While the technology is meant to be objective, the officials operating the system are still prone to errors and biases. This has led to accusations of inconsistency and favouritism, further eroding trust in the system.
Furthermore, the over-reliance on VAR has taken away from the traditional role of referees. Instead of being able to make decisions in real-time, referees are now often forced to defer to the VAR system, leading to a loss of authority and control on the pitch.
Ultimately, the criticisms against VAR boil down to a desire for a more balanced approach to refereeing. While technology can be a useful tool, it should not come at the expense of the game’s flow, excitement, and human element. As the Premier League clubs prepare to vote on the future of VAR, it remains to be seen whether the system will be reformed or scrapped altogether.
Below are the top 5 VAR controversies from the 2023-2024 season:
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Tottenham vs. Liverpool (February 2024)
In a crucial top-of-the-table clash, VAR officials sparked controversy when they disallowed a goal from Liverpool’s Luis Diaz. The decision was met with widespread disbelief, with many arguing that the goal should have stood. The error ultimately proved costly, as Spurs went on to win 2-1.
Reacting to the VAR decision, Klopp said he was not angry with the officials but demanded a replay or the match but his request was not granted by the FA.
He said: “They didn’t do it on purpose and we should not forget that. Yes, it was a mistake. An obvious mistake.
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Newcastle vs. Arsenal (March 2024)
Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal was marred by controversy when VAR officials failed to overturn a goal despite three separate offences. The decision left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fuming, and the Gunners were left to rue a missed opportunity.
Speaking immediately after the match, Arteta said: “It’s a disgrace. It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel and that’s how everybody feels in that [dressing] room. You cannot imagine the amount of messages we’ve got saying this cannot continue. It’s embarrassing. I’m sorry, embarrassing.
“I feel sick. That’s how I feel. I feel sick to be part of this. It is not good enough and we cannot accept that.”
The FA charged Arteta with a breach of Rule E3.1 — that his comments constituted misconduct in that they were insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or brought the game into disrepute — but an independent commission found that to be “not proven” following an investigation which included Arteta attending a personal hearing, according to ESPN.
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Everton vs. Nottingham Forest (April 2024)
Nottingham Forest were left feeling aggrieved when VAR officials failed to award a penalty despite clear contact in the box. The decision proved crucial, as Everton went on to win 2-0.
Forest described the referring decision as “extremely poor” adding that they had “warned” the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) that “the VAR is a Luton fan but they didn’t change him.”
“Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept,” the club said on X., “Our patience has been tested multiple times.”
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Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth (August 2023)
Alexis Mac Allister’s red card was not overturned by VAR, despite many arguing that the challenge did not warrant a sending-off. There was a surprise when VAR Paul Tierney did not even ask Bramall to review the decision on the pitchside monitor. Liverpool later had the red card rescinded on appeal.
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Luton Town vs. Sheffield United (January 2024)
Paul Tierney’s VAR decisions were widely criticized during Luton Town’s 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United. The official wrongly advised that two penalties be given, leading to widespread confusion and frustration.
While EPL clubs prepare to cast their dice on the continuity in the EPL, football fans are eager to know how this decision will influence the beautiful game, although Jurgen Klopp might have left Liverpool, his comments about the VAR is one which we can believe stands as the position of Liverpool on the use of VAR.
On the 17th of May, 2024, while speaking to reporters ahead of a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, his final game in charge, Klopp said it was not VAR to blame but those operating it.
“They are voting against how it’s used which is definitely not right,” Klopp said. “In the way they do it, I would vote against it because these people are not able to use it properly.
“I don’t think VAR is the problem, it’s how they use it. You can’t change the people, obviously it’s clear they need them.
“So yeah, I would vote for scrapping VAR.”
Another manager who has been very vocal regarding the use of VAR in the EPL is Mikel Arteta, in one of his interviews on the 7th of November, 2023, following a 1:0 defeat to Newcastle, he described the decision to award Anthony Gordon’s goal as a “disgrace” and “embarrassing” on Saturday. Arteta said the standard of officiating will not change if he does not speak in a “clear and honest” way.
