Suarez dislikes ‘disruptive’ video referee

Barcelona – Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has criticised the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) in Spain this season, saying it disrupted the natural flow of games and that he would prefer to see the use of goal-line technology instead.

Suarez scored a goal in Barca’s 8-2 win over Huesca last Sunday which was initially ruled out for offside but later awarded after the referee consulted VAR, leaving the Uruguayan unconvinced by the system.

“VAR stifles celebrations,” Suarez said in an interview with radio station RAC1 broadcast yesterday. “Defenders are now asking for something the whole time. I would prefer to just have goal-line technology. With VAR, the game can lose naturalness,” he added.

“Perhaps a play starts with an involuntary handball, you counter-attack and score, then they review the play and rule it out.”

Spain has joined top-flight leagues in Italy and Germany in implementing VAR after having no form of technology last season.

The English Premier League has used goal-line technology since 2013 but is yet to introduce VAR, which was widely hailed as a success when used at the 2018 World Cup.