VAR makes first mistake by not ruling out Swiss leveller
There is no doubt in my mind that Switzerland’s equalising goal against Brazil yesterday should have been ruled out by the video assistant referee. This was the first mistake by the technology at the World Cup and it was a bad one.
Steven Zuber created the space for his header through holding Brazil’s Miranda by the arm and then pushing him in the back.
The Mexican referee, Cesar Arturo Ramos, made a clear and obvious error in not penalising the foul. In response, the VAR referee or his assistant should have immediately brought the challenge to Ramos’s attention.
Had Ramos been given the opportunity to review the challenge on the screen at the side of the pitch, I have no doubt that he would have realised his mistake and disallowed the goal. I could hardly believe that it was not suggested to him that he do so.
I am a big fan of VAR and believe it will help to improve the game. We had seen its benefits so far in the tournament with a string of encouraging decisions taken as a result of it.
It is also serving as a deterrent to foul play. Managers and players have been made fully aware that their every move is scrutinised, including those away from the action, and they know any misdemeanour will be picked up and punished during the game. You can see the results in their discipline, which is much improved on past tournaments.
Yesterday’s game was an unfortunate backward step, not least because it robbed the tournament favourites of victory.
Keith Hackett is the resident expert at You Are The Ref.