9,000 Liverpool fans make judgement call on VAR after diabolical officiating of Tottenham clash 📺
Paul Tierney and VAR's team at Stockley Park attracted controversy during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Antonio Conte's men
When debating the future of VAR, it can be easy to slip into a frothy rage that fails to distinguish between the technology and those operating it as, critically, separate elements.
We generally only ever see the referee on the pitch, with the presence of those holding the fort down at Stockley Park only visible through the pitchside monitor and on the big screens at football stadiums when one decision is being reconsidered.
As inconsistency struck once again in a weekend of Premier League football, VAR’s mysterious absence was once more duly noted for key decisions, including Ederson’s wiping out of Ryan Fraser in Manchester’s City game against Newcastle United and Harry Kane’s studs-up challenge on Andy Robertson at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Afforded all the relevant angles to make a decision - a key advantage over the on-pitch official - those with the best seats in the house (as far as officiating calls are concerned) failed to act.
When questioned about the continued viability of VAR, Liverpool fans were divided on Twitter, with 54.4% electing for it to be binned.
Yet, we remain burdened by the promise that VAR could be worthwhile one day - when we have the right officials in front of it.
That’s an entirely fair point, although it does beg the question as to what we’re all expected to do until the necessary wholesale reform comes by to ensure that the standard of refereeing improves in the top band of English football.
It’s clearly not a change that will happen overnight. So, do we put up and shut up on the basis that VAR might be used expertly in the next few years (hopefully)?
The potential benefit to the sport is irrefutable - if we can get the technology in the best hands.
Though fans may be left waiting for a lengthy period of time for the quality of officiating to come anywhere near close to the standard of football being played in the Premier League.
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