One aspect of soccer that many people love to despise is the video assistant referee, or VAR. On one side of the debate, some have praised the use of technology in the most popular sport in the world, arguing that it improves the game’s integrity.
However, even while it increases the likelihood that match officials would make fair and accurate decisions, some have argued that excessive use of technology in sports detracts from the sport’s authenticity and the organic flow of games.
FA Cup controversy
There was great outrage over the lack of VAR during the recent FA Cup fourth round matches; the Premier League stated that it will only start using the technology in the fifth round (round of 16).
The introduction of VAR so late in the competition will be a gut punch for a team like Leicester City, who were eliminated after their contentious 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the fourth round. Harry Maguire, a defender for United, scored an offside goal in injury time to defeat the Foxes.
It is difficult to accept because it is obvious that the game was decided incorrectly. You don’t have to look at millimeters in a VAR situation. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the manager of Leicester and a former striker for United, stated, “It is evident that it is half a meter.”
“This was not how the squad should have lost the game. For a considerable amount of time, they dominated, played well, and fought,” Van Nistelrooy continued.
In agreement with his counterpart, United manager Ruben Amorim stated: “The goal was offside.” VAR ought to be used. Since the decision is difficult for both Ruud and the opponent, it ought to be here to reverse it.
The two managers’ agreement notwithstanding, VAR has long been a controversial topic. Particularly because match officials continue to make blunders despite their presence.
However, the Premier League expressed satisfaction with the advancements it has witnessed since VAR was implemented in the English top division in 2019 before of the most recent FA Cup schedule.
More technology
According to the Premier League, out of 70 VAR interventions so far this season, only 13 officiating errors have been made. According to the league, this was a better result than the 20 that came from 61 VAR reviews during the same time last season.
“No one undervalues the importance and consequences of a single mistake. We know that one single error can cost clubs points, can cost them results, can cost managers positions, potentially players their place,” said Tony Scholes, who is the Premier League’s chief football officer.
In a game with such high stakes, they are important and crucial. So, our absolute objective is to reduce that number down as far as we can, but we should also just recognise a couple of points,” Scholes said.
The Premier League has also announced that it would be testing a new technology called Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) in addition to bringing back VAR for the round of 16.
The Premier League claims that the goal of this most recent idea is to “produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters, and to provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking.”
Essentially, the introduction of SAOT will not change the accuracy of the decision-making, but it will enhance the speed and efficiency of the process. This may be a welcome development, as VAR critics have also criticised the amount of time it takes to make decisions.
Local perspective
Over the years, there have been countless questionable calls made by match officials in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL). So much so that former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane coined the term “benefitting” when it comes to teams winning matches through dubious decisions by referees.
However, the wait for VAR in one of Africa’s most respected leagues continues — despite increasingly loud calls for its implementation. The main stumbling block? money.
Cost of R80-million
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who has been one of the biggest advocates for the introduction of VAR in recent times, told SABC Sport in 2024 that he estimates the implementation of the technology would cost about R80-million, plus an additional R70,000 per match after that. These are of course rough estimates.
“From the PSL’s point of view, we have been ready for VAR for the last two years. The situation, unfortunately, is that the referees are controlled and trained by Safa. So we’d need Safa to step in and put the necessary structures in place in order to train the referees in the use of VAR systems,” Comitis said.
“Obviously, it’s a financial outlay that the PSL is ready for. But without the cooperation of Safa in training the referees, it’s always going to be difficult. We can’t start it, and then miss a game here and there. Once you’re in it, it must be in every game,” the veteran soccer administrator added.
“So you need the technology at every stadium, plus the manpower… Either in a central place, or at each stadium. You can’t miss a weekend and say ‘we didn’t have enough people’. Once you’re in the dance, you’ve got to dance. You have to maintain the level at its highest,” Comitis said.“We’d be very excited if we can get that going. Because it would level the playing field on many issues. There’s no club that hasn’t been a victim of poor refereeing,” he said. DM
Be the first to reply