There has been an acceptance that VAR has had more of a positive influence in the Premier League this season in comparison to previous campaigns.
There are less marginal offside calls, fewer penalties given for minimal contact, and less lengthy interruptions in games.
In saying that, it is still far from perfect. It feels like every weekend is marked by the officials getting a seemingly obvious decision wrong despite the presence of the technology. There were a few such incidents in recent days, with a spate of penalties awarded across the division.
Of course, it is always worth pointing out that the technology is only as good as those using it. It is of little use if the officials in charge are still prone to making poor decisions.
One man has had enough. The shining beacon of footballing knowledge that is Richard Keys is sick to the back teeth of everything to do with VAR.
Writing in his ever entertaining blog, the Qatar based broadcaster expressed his lack of patience with the officials in the Premier League.
I would think it’s ‘clear and obvious’ to everybody now that this ridiculous catch all, cop out phrase must be dropped. After a weekend of one mistake on top of another - excused by the PGMOL’s pathetic scrambling to find a slew of excuses - it’s time to think again.
And while we’re at it - what is the point of Peter Walton, Dermot Gallagher and Chris Foy? It’s a question I’ve asked before and I pose again. They are patsies for Mike Riley and his crew. They never offer a word of criticism, conflict or objectivity.
They’d be better employed by Boris Johnson’s govt. They’d fit in well. You can’t believe a word they say. They simply cover up and trot out excuses - after being heavily briefed...
What happened to the early season Instruction that there has to be ‘more than contact’ for a ref to award a penalty? Was there ‘more than contact’ when Salah went down (against Aston Villa)? I don’t think so. If Stuart Attwell had been given the chance to see it again he might’ve agreed.
VAR made the ultimate decision because there wasn’t a ‘clear and obvious’ error. There was when Allison brought down Danny Ings - so why wasn’t that referred?..
I didn’t want VAR. Football isn’t black and white. It never will be - even with technology - but I accept it isn’t going away.
So what we have to do is use it honestly - stop making excuses - and stop hiding - or those that believe VAR is the best way to fix a game will start to be heard.
There was never going to be a safer bet in your life than Richard Keys hating VAR.
It's just not something proper football men can accept.
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