Should VAR be scrapped?

[ToffeeTim]

We've had VAR now for around 4 years. Simple question...

Do you think it has improved the overall standard of officiating, or would you scrap it?

 

[Nymzee]

I fear if we scrap it now then the game would be in a much worse state. The ability of referees now, due to the crutch of VAR, is awful. How many decisions get overturned every game with VAR that refs have missed? Imagine none of those decisions being overturned. To scrap VAR we’d need so much better live officiating.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

We've had VAR now for around 4 years. Simple question...

Do you think it has improved the overall standard of officiating, or would you scrap it?

The problem with refereeing was there before VAR and it will continue if we Scrap VAR.
VAR is not the problem.

 

[ToffeeTim]

The problem with refereeing was there before VAR and it will continue if we Scrap VAR.
VAR is not the problem.

That's true, but there is clear bias towards the big teams and the replay system is enhancing that bias. It was better when there was only one referee making decision, in my opinion at least.

 

[Yid4life]

It's crap. Get rid.

 

[Simon Buttle]

The problem with refereeing was there before VAR and it will continue if we Scrap VAR.
VAR is not the problem.

This, VAR is little more than a form of CCTV at the end of the day. There has been issues in the PL with refs for years now and decisions favouring the big 6. Another problem with it is that refs in the PL seem to be doing their own interpretation of the rules at times compared to some other countries. Low quality referees are more of a problem and the fact everything is geared towards the Sky 6 and sod everyone else and what happens to them.

 

[Nymzee]

Refs these days have no incentive to be at the top of their game because they have a safety net every game. Ref missed the handball yesterday but is protected by VAR missing it too. It’s been in place too long now to go back.

I liken it to my own situation at work; I used to be really good at maths in college but for the past 10 years I’ve worked daily with Excel. I now just genuinely cannot even do simple addition sums in my head because I’m so used to the computer helping me.

Refs will get basic things wrong if VAR is scrapped. They already are - they’re just being helped fix them.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

The problem with refereeing was there before VAR and it will continue if we Scrap VAR.
VAR is not the problem.

This.

Ultimately VAR is subject to human decision making, inconsistent application of rules, and ever changing rules of the game. Same as the refs, but in slow mo. Oh, and depending how much of a conspiracy theorist you are, blatant corruption (see a certain handball decision reaction from yesterday).

 

[brigadier]

Absolutely not , it's high lighting the blatant corruption and bias in the game , the weekly rule changes to make the league look legitimate is hilarious , last week sky showed a clip proving harry kane was a yard onside only for a minute later var showed he was a yard offside, the league is a embarrassing tv show , its only a matter of time ant and dec are on match of the day.

 

[Ring master]

Never been a fan of it, even the very rare time something has gone for us, as just like before many calls will always be Subjective, and the same type of pen decision in 2 different games by 2 different people will always bring different results, VAR has just added to the Chaos a lot for me, all i ever wanted in Football was Goal Line Camera's, But we all know VAR is here for Life in whatever way they will tweak and change little bits of it, we should always be able to hear what is said between all and its not right that the TV commentators can listen but we cant

 

[Yarrgh]

VAR needs to be made fit for purpose. Mic is the refs and VAR. Only the corrupt and incompetent will be scared of scrutiny. Mistakes happen, but an honest one will be understood more readily and we can hopefully put away the suspicions of match fixing that we currently have.

 

[anton66]

The referees should be forced to look at the monitors for a start and make their own decisions and not an anonymous official.

 

[woomy]

I feel it needs to go back to what it was supposed to be for. Clear and obvious errors.
Non of this, toenail offside rubbish. But a blatant error.
I would change it as well to make the 4th official in charge of it. Flag sommat and the 4th official looks at the screen and makes the call. Has 30 seconds or so to call it. If it is obvious, he can easily do that. If it is not obvious, then crack on with the onfield call.
Simples.

 

[Methuselah]

The problem with refereeing was there before VAR and it will continue if we Scrap VAR.
VAR is not the problem.

Yes, there were always refereeing disputes before VAR, but they have multiplied since VAR came in. Unlike Rugby, football isn't a 'stop/start' game. To hold up a game while isolated, faceless, unaccountable officials decide whether two inches of an elbow is offside has no place in football. VAR needs dumping asap.

 

[BlueStevie35]

Keep VAR, but scrap using PL refs to operate it, hire outsiders to operate who can give a less biased opinion