This technology is still work-in-progress

VAR has been a huge talking point in this year’s World Cup. I believe the cons outweigh the pros at this moment of time. There have been decisions rightly overturned by match officials. However, there were also bad decisions taken. I’m going to discuss a few issues that have made VAR technology take away from the nature of football.

As VAR is a work in progress, it’s unbelievably slow which kills the momentum of the game. Also, there hasn’t been a clear ruling on when VAR should be used. This allows the players to rush to referees requesting VAR in every decision.

Another issue is referees not wanting to over-rule their primary decision even though it was clearly a wrong call revealed through VAR. A prime example would be the Morocco versus Spain game, which determined the Spaniards’ fate in the World Cup. The corner was taken from the opposite side instead of the side where the ball was deflected that allowed them to capitalise and score the goal, keeping them longer in the World Cup. The referee used the VAR and it clearly showed that the corner was taken from the opposite side. Yet, he didn’t overrule it.

Human errors and lack of training required before introducing VAR have made referees very hesitant to take crucial decisions during the game.

VAR is a work in progress, I think they rushed in implementing it in the World Cup as it should have been tested in one of the major leagues around the world beforehand. From Mr Ahmad Gamgoum

Accountant based in Sharjah