By Robbie Butler
I have had many a rant about VAR on this forum. I must be nearly in double figures for posts. The system has changed how we consume the game and is an entirely different product, in my opinion. I no longer watch the game as I once did and feel relief rather than excitement when a goal is scored by my team.
The unintended consequences are incredible. Last night's Liverpool–Real Madrid game was yet another that got little coverage. Many people are so caught up in the incident that they miss the obvious.
The moment centred on a free kick awarded to Liverpool on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area, after Dominik Szoboszlai's shot struck the hand of Aurélien Tchouaméni. Referee István Kovács’ decision then went to VAR. Was the handball inside the box? The review clearly showed that it was.
I have had many a rant about VAR on this forum. I must be nearly in double figures for posts. The system has changed how we consume the game and is an entirely different product, in my opinion. I no longer watch the game as I once did and feel relief rather than excitement when a goal is scored by my team.
The unintended consequences are incredible. Last night's Liverpool–Real Madrid game was yet another that got little coverage. Many people are so caught up in the incident that they miss the obvious.
The moment centred on a free kick awarded to Liverpool on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area, after Dominik Szoboszlai's shot struck the hand of Aurélien Tchouaméni. Referee István Kovács’ decision then went to VAR. Was the handball inside the box? The review clearly showed that it was.
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Watching the replay, I thought the handball decision — and awarding a free kick — was harsh. Anyone that understands the game (not just the rules) would probably agree. But when the referee gave this decision as a free — that is important — VAR does not have the power to overrule a freekick.
VAR can only intervene in four types of “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents”: goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity. This was something different.
Had the ball struck the player outside the box, a free kick would have to be awarded. Liverpool were penalised because the player was inside the box and VAR thought it was not a penalty.
And to compound matters — what most people missed — is that if the referee had waved play on, Liverpool would have been awarded a corner! Because the referee awarded a free kick and because VAR was incorrectly applied — it was not a clear and obvious error, as the ball did strike the hand — Liverpool suffered three times. No free. No penalty. No corner.
Instead, the ball dropped at the feet of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — an uncontested hop ball.
VAR can only intervene in four types of “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents”: goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity. This was something different.
Had the ball struck the player outside the box, a free kick would have to be awarded. Liverpool were penalised because the player was inside the box and VAR thought it was not a penalty.
And to compound matters — what most people missed — is that if the referee had waved play on, Liverpool would have been awarded a corner! Because the referee awarded a free kick and because VAR was incorrectly applied — it was not a clear and obvious error, as the ball did strike the hand — Liverpool suffered three times. No free. No penalty. No corner.
Instead, the ball dropped at the feet of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — an uncontested hop ball.
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