VAR upgrade won’t get rid of basic problem for Souness
Graeme Souness hopes this World Cup will be an improved VAR experience for everyone.
And the Scotland legend has argued for former players to become involved in the process in the domestic game.
The action in Qatar will see new semi-automated offside technology in use, with the aim of speeding up the time spent delivering decisions.
While Souness – who played in three World Cups for Scotland – welcomes the advance, he fears it will not tackle the key issue of officials getting calls wrong.
“Hopefully, semi-automated VAR will help them at the World Cup,” he said.
“But they also need help from ex-pros
because referees are being embarrassed.
“VAR was brought in to help them make fewer mistakes – and it has done the exact opposite.
“I will say it. Some of them are just not very good. Some of their calls are terrible.”
The 69-year-old has no doubt what other measure might help.
“They need assistance getting more decisions right,” he said.
“Every footballer, who has ever played the game at a high standard, can look at an aerial challenge and tell you who was being the aggressor, and how the players came together.
“Referees cannot do that.”