Consider the last seven days from a neutral fan’s perspective. Against Bournemouth West Ham had a chance on goal, Fullkrug’s header hitting a grateful goalkeeper instead of 1 metre either side and he;’d have scored. Suddenly VAR flash up on the screen they’re “investigating” a handball. The softest, tiniest defection was spotted and therefore immediately rolled over and granted (a very grateful) West Ham Penalty that should never have been.
Under a week later and the ‘most dreadful challenge of the season contender’ right in front of the referee drew a yellow card. No ‘flashing up’ on the screen of any investigation of foul play, not the slightest chance that the referee would be invited to reconsider.
Estupinian’s dreadful tackle
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Skysports.com have kindly created a video which you can view herein case you didn’t see it. It gets worse each time it is viewed. If that is not a red card, nothing is. It could have ended Max Kilman’s playing career.
Former referee Mark Halsey said at the time on his twitterX feed:” I’m Very surprised Var didn’t recommend a review this was a challenge that endangered the player’s safety with excessive force *imo”.*Just about every pundit today condemns VAR for their second cock-up involving West Ham in less than seven days.
What is the point in this not-fit-for-purpose system if it adds nothing to the quality of on-field decision making?
There isn’t one. It ruins the spectacle and proves conclusively that mistakes will always be a part of the game, whether on-field or on-video.
So just do away with it and at least the on-field decision will be final and we can celebrate, or barrack knowing there’ll be no overturning decisions and the frustrating VAR pantomime has been consigned to the bin as a failed experiment.