VAR, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING as it stands, say critics, because getting correct decisions comes at a cost of frustrating delays, confusion and keeping paying fans in the dark

IT was supposed to bring football up to date by embracing modern technology.

But using VAR has sparked controversy and a backlash which suggests supporters, TV pundits and experts are resistant to change.

The Video Assistant Referee experiment went horribly wrong at Anfield, with a mix-up and a lack of information completely overshadowing West Brom’s FA Cup win against Liverpool.

Referee Craig Pawson and VAR Andre Marriner appeared to get their wires crossed and their lack of understanding has come in for criticism. There were three big calls in the game – a goal ruled out, a penalty given and a lengthy delay before Albion’s winner was allowed.

Manchester City’s FA Cup tie at Cardiff yesterday saw a Bernardo Silva goal wrongly ruled out for offside with the visitors 1-0 up – yet there was no VAR to correct the decision.

It highlighted that fans are not yet happy with VAR but unhappy when it is available. A no-win situation.

It is understood one of the reasons it was not available at Chelsea’s cup tie either yesterday was because there was not enough time to move the equipment needed from Liverpool to London. The experiment has so far taken in six games from the League Cup and FA Cup, and until the Liverpool tie it had only resulted in one decision being reversed – when Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal was initially ruled offside but allowed to stand on review.

There is a feeling Craig Dawson’s goal at Liverpool would have stood but for VAR, which highlighted an offside, and ultimately all the decisions at Anfield were correct despite the lengthy delays.

The introduction of big screens in stadiums to indicate a VAR review is taking place would be a major step forward, allowing spectators to know what is going on rather than

trying to look for the referee holding a finger to his ear.

There will be a full review by referees’ group Professional Game Match Officials Ltd at the end of the experiment, but it seems inevitable VAR will be in place for the World Cup and the Premier League next season.

However, former referee Keith Hackett (left) warns there must be a better understanding between the match official and the VAR operating from a TV studio near Heathrow.

Hackett said: “I don’t understand why Craig Pawson had to watch Saturday night’s penalty incident involving Mohamed Salah himself in order to confirm it had been a foul.

“I don’t think the referee even saw the coming together, so if the Video Assistant Referee is telling him it is a penalty-kick then just give the penalty-kick.

“Pawson’s pitchside review caused an unnecessary delay and one hopes that, in that situation, a trust will develop through experience that will result in the referee accepting the VAR’S verdict.

“I have always had my concerns about the referee going to the side of the pitch to examine the some evidence.”