Arsenal’s game in Brighton in March reignited criticism of football officials and particularly video assistant referees. People are fed up with VAR failings. But could a small adjustment make VAR a lot better?
In the heightened atmosphere during the post incident decision making process of a VAR verdict, and also after a match when such decisions have altered results, it is easy to forget that VAR is still relatively new in football and may need adjustments to make it more effective and more sporting.
One of those adjustments which could be easily, promptly and fairly introduced would be to drop the phase of play video scrutiny that accompanies many VAR examinations during the current decision making process.
The problem with VAR phase of play reviews
Looking at the time spent reaching conclusions, particularly about disallowed goals and penalties, we can see that the trawling back through phases of play in order to find previously unnoticed infringements is one of the main causes of frustration for everyone involved.
These problems affect the whole atmosphere and flow of a game, frustrating fans, players, managers and referees themselves, lowering faith not only in VAR decisions but in the refereeing process itself. This often leads to people attributing match results to VAR decisions, as was the case in Arsenal’s one nil away win against Brighton.
These lengthy replay examinations based on finding what might have happened before an incident are not always necessary and are causing problems so significant that many now believe VAR should be abandoned altogether.
The game could be returned to something closer to what it was before VAR simply by dropping the phase of play requirement that allows unnoticed incidents to be reviewed during the decision process.
Others have proposed that VAR should review incidents in real time rather than slow motion, both speeding up decisions and avoiding the exaggeration of minor contact that can look far worse when slowed down.
Many fans do not understand why VAR decisions take so long. The reason appears to be that officials are checking every tackle and off the ball incident during the phase of play before the moment being reviewed, which can feel like an attempt to find reasons to disallow goals rather than support referees.
How VAR could still improve football
VAR was introduced to assist on field officials. However, the phase of play element risks clouding that purpose, reducing the joy of football, especially spontaneous celebrations, and disrupting the emotional flow of matches while also undermining confidence in the system.
In the Premier League, managers, fans, referees and players are regularly left frustrated by the disconnect created by these lengthy reviews. A tool designed to support referees risks doing the opposite when decisions take too long and appear overly complicated.
Another concern is that the elite game risks becoming disconnected from the version of football played everywhere else. That shared understanding, from grassroots football to cup finals, has always been part of the sport’s appeal.
There is no need to abandon VAR completely because of one potentially adjustable element. VAR still has the potential to improve football and support referees, which was its original purpose before phase of play reviews became so prominent.
We have had VAR in the Premier League since the 2019 to 2020 season and a proper consultation involving players, fans, managers and referees feels overdue. Rather than framing the debate as keeping or removing VAR, the focus should be on improving it.
Many of VAR’s current issues could be reduced by removing the phase of play rule where incidents not previously flagged are searched for during reviews. This can waste time, distract from the main decision and interrupt the natural rhythm of matches.
Dropping this requirement could allow VAR officials to focus purely on the key incident, potentially reducing controversial decisions and the need for later apologies.
One recent example involved Martinelli’s tackle on Wiefer against Brighton. That mistake actually benefited Arsenal, as a penalty that could have been given was not, a decision later judged incorrect by the Premier League Key Match Incidents panel. Would that mistake have happened if the VAR official had focused only on the main incident rather than reviewing earlier phases?
Matches could be trialled without phase of play reviews before making permanent changes to see whether this improves match flow, satisfaction and decision making accuracy.
The question now is whether those running the game in the UK are willing to consider a simple adjustment that could restore some trust between officials and everyone involved in football.
For the sake of the game, and everyone who loves it, it feels like a conversation worth having.
Do you think VAR just needs improving, or do you believe it is beyond fixing?
Reader Opinion (Chris)
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While VAR has helped, I think overall it has squeezed the excitement out of football.
Let’s remember that football had it’s boom long before VAR came. The excitement is what drives the game. Unfortunately now, it’s results which bring in money that runs football leading to much less reliance on fans’ emotions. Little wonder Arsenal plays so horribly (although I don’t mind as long as we win the league).
Many VAR decisions are really not necessary. Very minute incidents (like someone’s toe or nose being in an offside position) which gives absolutely zero advantage to the player are penalised while the game is slowed down and excitement is sucked away.
Maybe it’s the way it’s handled in England which is quite a shame really
Maybe do something like Wimbledon..
Each team gets 3 calls per match except from offside calls which VAR always look .
As DGR8XT pointed out above ,the flow and excitement as been taking away from the game ,a team scores a goal and the first thing the fans do is look straight at the REFEREE.
The problem I have with VAR looking back at the phases leading up to a goal is how far do they go back. If they are looking at infringements that the officials missed then you should go back from the start of the game. Obviously that’s ridiculous but the question is how far do they go back.
VAR has never been the issue but instead it is that the same incompetent referees that VAR was supposed to babysit/help have been put in charge of it. Technology is only as good as the person using it. There is also the issue of rules being interpretated to the extreme like how does an attacker millimeters ahead give them any sort of advantage. Then you see VAR taking minutes to decide if he was indeed enough millimeters offside to give it.
VAR has also eliminated the disgusting no contact blatant dives or the faking being hit or playacting we used to see given on a weekly basis just by existing.
Even with offside decisions, the var is going back through the phase of play to check for other prior infringements. That’s why it takes so long, and is the exact point being made in the article
I like the semi-automated-offside checks and would like to see more of this type of tech instead of having actual humans making (often incorrect) decisions.
How anyone can blame a piece of machinery for making mistakes is beyond me.
It’s the way the inept PGMOL decided to use it in the beginning that’s caused the ongoing controversy – that and the media, who insist on replaying every controversial refereeing decision as if THEY are the decision makers.
Why is it that VAR, that’s is used in every other sport, doesn’t have this kind of controversy?
I’ve read that football is different because it’s a contact sport – so is rugby.
That so much money is involved in football – tell that to the millionaire sports people in rugby, tennis etc etc.
No, let’s not hide behind all these excuses and concentrate on the only reason why VAR is so villified – it’s the people who use it.
Remember, it is supposed to be used for a clear and obvious mistake, so taking anything over a minute maximum is not using it correctly!!
Ken1945
I am in total agreement on everything you have said.
Its not the technology, it’s how it is applied.
The so called professionals who are running it are imo a body who are inept and truly out of touch. It is them and not the technology who is killing the enjoyment of the game for the fans.
Other spirts who use simular technology have a far better handle on giving quicker and consistent decisions with clearer communication to the fans
If I were head of PGMOL and they have already changed leadership, I would be employing more ex professional footballers to advice and sit in on ga.es.
With this you also have to address the referees who’s standards have fallen to an all time low.
They seem scared to make a decision or stand by a decision they have made.
Its not perfect in the championship but fans except it. Players accept it and there seems to be less antics in the league.
I enjoy watching games as they seem purer if there is such a word
Onwards and upwards
👍 and onwards and upwards AB!!
Ken, I’ve always been in favour of VAR and like you say, it’s the people in Stockley Park that are the problem. Who can forget a couple of seasons ago when we played Brentford at home. We were 1-0 up with only a couple of minutes to go when they had a free kick just outside our area. They scored a goal, VAR checked for offside and that twat Lee Mason gave the goal without even drawing the lines 😯🤬.
UEFA have called a meeting this Summer with representatives of the 5 biggest Leagues about how VAR is being used.
The only problem with what you have said is that video assisted referees have rules given by football governing authoritiesthat they have to follow. At the end of the day decisions do have to be made, and that often benefits one team and goes against another. If they have to go back through the phase of play, as specified by the rules, time is wasted and no one understands the decisions or why they took so long
There is an inherent issue with what you have suggested. If an obvious error is missed during a phase of play leading up to a goal are you indicating that this is acceptable in order to speed up decisions?
Personally, I don’t see how allowing more miscarriages of justice will be acceptable to many fans and football teams.
It all too easy to say we want things quicker. However, if those decisions that are not reviewed put your team at a disadvantage would you be so accepting of the outcome?
Yes, the article is saying don’t go back at all, unless a separate previous incident has already been flagged. This would stop the five minute (and longer sometimes) wait for decisions while var checks back through the phase of play, and allow var officials to focus on the actual primary incident
Ken,
You are exactly right my friend!
It is the incompetent refs and VAR officials, not the machine. Amazing how so many other sports have ironed out the inconsistencies, and their replay system works.
Unfortunately, the PGMOL seem to protect refs and officials more than the game, hence the continued misapplication and continued wrong calls.
Until the game takes precedence over the officals, I don’t expect much to change.
I must admit though, most other leagues and sports put the game and player safetly as the priority, unfortunately PL seems to protect the refs above all else. Dangerous tackles are inconsistently carded, a penalty one game is not a penalty in another, it really has become atrocious, and PGMOL is still defending poor VAR and officiating.
Ken1945,
I also agree with you’re post. I think VAR is good for the game if it had competent officials using it.
It seems to me that a lot of the time VAR look for ways to disallow a goal, or re-ref the game.
I personally think that VAR get more right than wrong, which is a good thing. But like everything else in life, it’s not perfect.
And some of the incompetents that use it are far from perfect that’s for sure.
Good news everyone! Michael Oliver will be the ref for our Bournemouth game. o.k. don’t kill the messenger.
Oh great 😫🤣
Bruised Banana,
More Breaking News! Oliver along with Taylor have been picked to referee in the upcoming World Cup. 🤦♂️
The best of the best no doubt. Embarrassing.
What a strange appointment to say the least!!
That three point cushion (if city115 were to win their game in hand and beat us) could be at risk if Mr Oliver referees the game as he sees fit.
With the city115 coming up, I wonder how many red cards we will get?
Surely the PGMOL would have thought about this?…. Yep, they surely did.
yeah they thought about it and didn’t see any issues
which I agree with
when he reffed us last time out it was fine
He is generally a fine ref. Only when his pseudo-employer’s interests are at stake, his loyalty gets activated.
Remember the Trossard sending off and the Kovacic non-sending-off the season before that.
Meanwhile we see one of the most disgusting and shameful acts ever on the pitch, Chelsea imprisoning an official. No red cards no calls for punishment, it didn’t even need a Var review to know what had happened. But different clubs are subject to different standards. No one wants arsenal to win the league as they know it will be a clean win, with no financial improprieties and no exaggerated help from the refs, as seen over the last decade of premier league winners.
I’ve just read a stat on the Arsenal website that Oliver has refereed us 11 times since the 2024 season, and we’ve only lost one game.
Although he did send three of our players off in that time also.