English Premier League fans give their assessment of the use of the Video Assistant Referee since the Premier League season 2019-20 began.
VAR was introduced on 1 June after changes from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). This came after successful trials in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – as well as being used in the Champions League.
And after the second matches of the EPL campaign, fans have come out to evaluate the significance of the VAR. Check out some of the mixed reactions from fans;
We’ve all seen VAR for a couple of games in the Premier League now.
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) August 20, 2019
I think it’s a good addition. The refs need help. It needs tweaking and over time I think we will all get used to it. I just wish that they would leave it to the clear and obvious and if it’s not then the refs decision should stand
— Stuart Davies (@studavies1982) August 20, 2019
It’s about consistency. Let’s look at Monday’s match. Offside for example. Why let one move play out for Wolves goal but pull up Martial for being offside when he wasn’t. Fans see inconsistency and can weak the VAR argument.
— Adam Ross (@VaderGB) August 21, 2019
Bad decision. But you missed a pen, u weren't robbed.
— Mike and 173 others (@mikekred) August 21, 2019
I agree. It's gonna affect all of us.
— Mike and 173 others (@mikekred) August 21, 2019
Makes it more like PES and FIFA… But it will bring the computer games more to life than the real thing in my opinion. ..
— 🇪🇬kebab man🇪🇬 (@isithim3) August 20, 2019
Catch up. We’ve been complaining about VAR in Australia for years.
The idea is good but god it sucks.— Ben Higgins (@higdawg) August 20, 2019
I’m in a third option Tom. Could be good if we get it and the rules it applies to right. At the moment not great, but I think that the authorities need to consider rule changes and VAR as one and not independent items.
— Danny Platt (@DannyPlatt01) August 20, 2019
Yeah or like in nfl, but I dont like that approach because if u used all of them and there is still another mistake u cant do anything about it. And teams like psg will appeal everytime neymar dives…
— Mihnea Voicu (@AlikeDear) August 21, 2019
It’s sky and media media fault we’ve got it!
Personally, a clear and obvious error and offside, should be when there’s daylight between the bodies of striker and the last defender, if any part only their body’s are level then the players are level thus not offside.
— Rob Lindsey (@roblindsey76) August 21, 2019
I’m not against the idea of helping refs out, but being offside by a couple of mm. and that disallowed “goal” for city the other day are both ridiculous. @FA, UEFA and FIFA tampering and tweaking the laws in an attempt to make VAR work doesn’t help either.
— stuart hainey (@haineystuart) August 21, 2019
It seems to me that most people don't know what the actual definition of "clear and obvious error" is in the context of VAR. It isn't what they think it means.
— Kevin Storey (@pokchak) August 21, 2019
It needs defining, testing and corrcting. only way to do that is to have it in action. Hate it right now, but in a couple of seasons i dont think this will be a topic and we wont look back
— Andy Heron (@IAmAndyHeron) August 21, 2019
I would like to see them sampling from other sports. Hockey/Cricket only have 3 chances to review a certain play/goal for the entire game. Or with rugby when the ref asks for help instead of the other way round. Goal line and offside rule to stay as is.
— Kyle Rhodes (@beefyrhodes) August 21, 2019
I’d say get rid but not forever. All grounds need to be brought up to speed with all pre-requisites for VAR. From Old Trafford to Vitality Stadium, all technical aspects have to be of the same level and consistency. Till then, VAR not as efficient as it could be
— Utkkarsh Phooli (@utkarshphooli15) August 21, 2019
I’m in two minds. I think it get decision right. Don’t mind about it taking time but I don’t think the premier league is using it properly. The Rodri penalty is the prime example. They can’t pick and choose not to give penalties because it changes the refs decision
— MUFCReds1 (@Reds1Mufc) August 20, 2019
Premier League clubs agreed on 15 November last year on the principle to introduce VAR to the competition in the season 2019-20.
The introduction of video assistant refereeing (VAR) was designed to help referees and eliminate errors, ensuring fewer mistakes would be made that would lead to tumultuous results in games.