So two weeks into the new season and already we are talking about VAR. Who knew??
Anyone who has witnessed its trial over the last couple of years will not be in the least bit surprised about the impact VAR has had on the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Not content with four useless referees in the ground to get things wrong, they now have a few more hidden away in a studio somewhere in a parallel universe to make even more mistakes.
The first weekend saw its first controversy when Wolves had what would have been a vital three points at Leicester taken away thanks to the merest of handballs by Boly in the build up to Dendoncker's goal.
That was not a VAR issue, was the cry from its supporters. No, it is the new handball rule to blame. Actually it isn't. Without VAR, which is supposed to be for clear and obvious errors, that 'handball' would not have been spotted.
As if that decision was not bad enough it could have far reaching consequences for both clubs as they battle for a potential place in the top six. How crucial could those two extra points prove to be for Wolves come May?
This was hot on the heels of the goals at the West Ham vs Manchester City match. Jesus had one ruled out for a marginal offside VAR call while Sterling had one given from almost exactly same position. So much for clear and obvious errors.
To the naked eye both were goals or neither were, yet in this virtual reality that is VAR, one was given and one not.
Thankfully so far my club has not been on the wrong end of such controversy but I appreciate it is only a matter of time. The goal young Reiss Nelson had ruled out against Burnley was for a clear offside against Monreal in the build up. So no drama there.
But that lot up the road, I refuse to call them by their actual name, benefited from more VAR madness at The Etihad. This was a tough one to take as normally a last minute City winner being disallowed is a moment to savour. But when it is 'them' who are gifted a point it gives you mixed feelings.
This was an even less obvious handball by Laporte just before Jesus curled the ball past Lloris but VAR of course spotted it and it finished in a Desmond (2-2). Again it is a result which could have an impact for several clubs later down the line.
Last season for example, 'they' finished one point above us for the final Champions League place. Imagine if that happens again? It could be traced back to this point they were given by VAR. I'd prefer to look at the prospect of the two points dropped by City handing us the title, but then I am forever the optimist!!
So the early evidence is not good. We could be in for a strange season decided not by decisions on the pitch, not by great skill, but by some faceless entities in Stockley Park. And this is meant to be sport.
One of the main joys of attending a match live is that moment when you see your team score a goal. One of your players hits the ball into the net and for a few seconds nothing else matters. All is right in the world. The unbridled joy, the random hugs with strangers, the high fives, the sheer elation.
This is a feeling you experience only rarely. If you're lucky over the course of a season you might get to experience it on average twice a game. If you support Brighton or Sheffield United it will be a lot less.
But we now face the prospect of losing these moments altogether. No more goal celebrations but instead silence when the ball hits the net and a ripple of applause 10 minutes later when the decision appears on the screen. Great for the TV audience perhaps but not for the paying fans in the stadium.
Football is not a reality TV show where the producers can manipulate the result but that is exactly where we are heading. The Premier League could become the new Big Brother. A future where the phone lines will open after a goal is scored. So in your best Geordie accent, 'Is it a goal, YOU decide...'


No comments:
Post a Comment