Former England striker Ellen White said VAR “takes out the joy and the emotion when a goal is scored” for players and fans alike, while ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said it has “too many inconsistencies and it’s down to human error, which is still a massive problem”.
Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan doesn’t think we should get rid of VAR, but “there should be a 90-second rule. If it is not clear an obvious in 90 seconds, it’s not clear and obvious.”
What fans said:
Owen: With VAR, learn from cricket and only go to VAR on request from the captain… Three requests per game for each team. It would mean fewer VAR calls and would only be when there were really clear errors not just minor ones.
Barry: I would change VAR to only be activated if the referee asks for a check, similar to rugby.
Jeff: If something takes more than a minute, it’s not clear and obvious. Refs have a big enough on-field team, VAR is an unnecessary addition, and I would love to know the cost to clubs, and why they don’t bin it?
Mike: Get rid of VAR completely. We had 120-odd years of the old system when football was football. Now, it’s a waste of time.
Charlie: Why aren’t refs allowed to request to see the monitor themselves? Stop VAR telling the ref what to do and let the ref use VAR himself. If the ref isn’t sure he should ask VAR to bring it up on the monitor instead of waiting five minutes.
What Chris Foy said: “In relation to VAR and its protocol, the referee can initiate a ‘review’ for a potential ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ when the VAR (or another match official) recommends a ‘review’ and the referee suspects something serious has been missed.
“Time limit on checks are difficult to implement as in some situations, checks have many moving pieces.”
Dale Johnson added: “The problem with placing a time limit on reviews is the necessary proof may not be immediately available.
“Last season, in a VAR review for a penalty Liverpool had been awarded against Wolves, the VAR appeared ready to support the decision after the first few replay angles. But then the next replay clearly showed the attacker had initiated contact.
“With a time limit, this may have stayed as a penalty. There’s no doubt that if you do place a time limit, incorrect decisions may not be overturned.”
