One of the most divisive subjects in modern day football has surrounded the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee.
For many fans, the term VAR is clouded with negative responses, with the main aim of the technology believed to remove the debate surrounding controversial decisions.
However, it is fair to say that it hasn’t exactly worked out like that, with talking points surrounding the decision making process as well as the decision itself now being common among fans of the sport.
But, has the technology been an overwhelming negative for the sport, and how has it compared to tech that has been implemented across other sports?
Has VAR Been a Success?
It is hard to argue against the stance that VAR has improved the decision making process in football, but the success that has been achieved will range depending on the competition.
In the Premier League, decisions remain inconsistent, with one team getting a decision one week before a different stance is taken seven days later.
In European competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League, the tech has worked more seamlessly. The biggest factor behind that has been due to the benchmark being much higher in order to overturn decisions.
Automated offsides have also been a major plus in Europe, as even the tightest decisions can be made within seconds. This is something that has been a divisive topic for Premier League fans, as VAR officials still typically use angles that don’t line up with the play. But, the jury remains out whether it has been a success story or not.
VAR Drawbacks
Some of the most common issues that remain when it comes to VAR focus around the time that is taken to make game-altering decisions. Stops should be quick, but if anything, some major decisions see officials pondering ramifications of their potential decisions.
Long delays could see teams standing around for between five and eight minutes, which has a direct impact on the flow of the game.
There have also been growing calls to enhance fan experience when it comes to VAR decisions, as those in attendance are typically left in the dark as to what is going on. But, that is something that is being tackled head on, with referees announcing their decisions in competitions such as the FA Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, it could be argued that the biggest obstacle regards to VAR remains incorrect interventions. VAR is only there to overturn clear and obvious errors, but there have been a magnitude of examples where the technology has got involved in a decision that didn’t reach this benchmark.
Other Sporting Examples
Football has been the only sport that has got the implementation of technology completely wrong, as the success stories across other sports have been clear for all to see. But, how have other sports ensured that there has been a seamless transition to a new-look sport with the use of tech?
Horse Racing
Horse racing free bets profited a lot from the introduction of technology. Racing was one of the first sports to adopt to the new technologies on offer, with streaming services playing a huge importance when it comes to the popularity of the action on track.
However, tech has also fine-tuned the decision making process within the sport, as high-quality cameras are now used to capture photo finishes.
No longer are there drawn out periods of time with judges squinting at blurry images, and it ensures that correct finishing orders in the world’s biggest races can be announced to the public within minutes of the finishers crossing the line.
Rugby
Rugby offers the closest similarity to VAR in football, but the TMO system has been a major success in the sport.
The tech is used by referees to determine on-field decisions, and the conversation between all officials is played into the stadium to ensure that spectators are aware of what is going on.
However, the system isn’t without its detractors, as some argue the point that the decision making process can be extremely slow, and some also question why it is used so frequently during matches in the modern era.
But, unlike football, the correct decision is always awarded after consultation with the TMO.
Cricket
It could be argued that the sport that has nailed implementing technology has been cricket.
The sport has used the Decision Review System since 2008, and it shows live replays of the action with full conversations of match officials behind their decision making while watching the same clips in the stadium.
All conversations can be heard by those in attendance, while it is also included on live broadcasts of the action. Unlike other sports, there is also a social element to the tech, as the decisions are announced on big screens when the final decision has been made.
