Footage of VAR being used seamlessly in the Australian League has resurfaced following a number of controversial decisions in the Premier League over the weekend.
The clip actually comes from a game back in 2019, in which Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant lunges into two challenges on Melbourne City opposition.
Initially Grant is shown a yellow card, though VAR intervenes to advise the referee in charge to go and look at the pitch-side monitor.
As he revisits the original decision, viewers can hear exactly what is being said between the ref and video official, clearing up any confusion over what it is that he’s seen to warrant a red.
This is how it should be in England, complete transparency between the Referee, Stockley Park & everybody watching the game, Live & on TV. Too many inconsistencies in modern refereeing. pic.twitter.com/4hhwNDgICd
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) February 7, 2021
This works, mic up the refs and the VAR booth and you get the sort of transparency important decisions like these need https://t.co/pv4Y0ufsAr
— Claret & Blue Pixels (@Dazzla84_SSFC) February 8, 2021
If VAR is here to stay.
— Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) February 8, 2021
Then pls pls can we do something like this.
The players/coaches and the fans would find this so much better. https://t.co/VlYkzH3sNv
Mike Dean’s decision to send of Tomas Soucek for an alleged ‘elbow’ on Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic in particular led to an outpouring of confusion from fans and pundits alike.
That decision is by no means the first this season to face huge backlash. Inconsistencies in both individual interpretation and vague laws of the game have made it impossible for VAR to work in way it was intended.
The end result is having this piece of technology that is meant to remove doubt, adding a whole new level of uncertainty to important decisions and causing just as much, if not more controversy than ever before.
Fans of rugby and cricket are no strangers to hearing officials mic’d up. That being said, the levels of abuse directed at those involved with football, are simply incomparable. Whatever decision is taken on the future of VAR, must also be rolled out in a way that protects those using it.
Featured image credit: Getty