24 Apr 2024 14:19:16
I'm afraid I must repeat myself yet again on here after the Everton fiasco and VAR generally.
Firstly there is a need for VAR ( though not as it's implemented now). The game is much faster now with a culture of cheating and diving such that any ref would find it difficult to officiate using the naked eye. Add on the hundreds of millions of quid at stake. If you don't believe me have a look at YouTube and re run Forests 1959 Cup Final or England at the 1966 World Cup. Also, matches were played at slower pace because of mudbath pitch's, not like the billiard tables of today.
However I entirely blame the Premier League for the present widespread fan dissatisfaction because of their arrogance in not learning from the successful implementation of technology in other sports.
So, Rugby League and Union, a try and if there's doubt the ref will ask the simple question "Is there any reason why I may not award it? " He ( and crucially the crowd on big screens ) will view it and accept the VAR advice. Note, for all to see and hear, in public not in a pokey room in Stockly or wherever. Likewise red and yellow cards.
Cricket likewise. Umpires call for marginal decisions ie leg before is more than half the ball going to hit the stumps? Everyone sees ball tracker on the screen and there's no argument and discontent. Likewise, snicko for faint edges and a catch. Likewise run outs. Incidentally the umpires get it right in the vast majority of cases, perhaps because they are usually retired professional cricketers. Perhaps a lesson there for the Prem and PSGOL?
The point is justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
I would have 3 reviews per team per game decided solely by the onfield Captain in 15 seconds after the refs decision. Retained if upheld, lost if wrong. This would cover red and yellow cards as well as goals, offsides penalties etc.
Also wouldn't it be nice if VAR was allowed to be more proactive. Like, have a look ref.
It's easy really and would have prevented at least 2 if not all 3 of the pens against Everton and perhaps Bolys second yellow against Bournemouth and Madisons punch against Spurs, and Toneys foam moving against Brentford etc etc. Incidentally in Rugby the VAR would even advise the ref how to restart the game ie goal line drop out or 5 metre scrum which would have prevented Liverpools retaining the ball after stoppage of play.
Of course, the Prem could do simple obvious things like instant reds for diving for example and advancing the ball 10 yards for disssent. Also PSGOL, if they weren't actually brain dead could have done a paper sift to prevent VAR being run by a supporter of a rival team. This would have given Atwell some protection and prevented the trouble in the first place. I mean, none of the above is rocket science is it? Doh!
24 Apr 2024 16:35:46
Lot of common sense there Stokey so that won’t get anywhere.
CARLO.
24 Apr 2024 22:16:28
As usual, wise words Stokey. I totally agree that football could learn a lot from other sports' rules, particularly from Rugby Union. As an aside - can you imagine Nigel Owens refereeing a football match in the PL?! "Come here young man. I've never met you before but if you appeal for a penalty again I will send you off. Do you understand me? ". That's what is needed from football refs! Players would soon come into line.
25 Apr 2024 11:11:47
According to Dermot Gallagher, the bar was set 'too low' for red cards and penalties earlier in the season. This has been reviewed, hence why we didn't receive the first 2 penalties. He offered no reasonable explanation why the 3rd wasn't given or why VAR didn't intervene.
So Rashford's penalty against Danilo may not have been given and Worrall's red card v Man Utd maybe not either. How can we respect the integrity of the PL when standards of officiating are being adjusted MID SEASON? Did they change the PSR rules? Clearly not. The whole situation is a farce and stinks to high heaven. The referee and his assistants officiate the match, VAR is there to assist them when something has been missed. This should not be an ambiguous state of affairs. Do your jobs.
25 Apr 2024 16:16:15
Legless mate Nigel Owens is an absolute legend! I renember when he awarded a penalty for a line out throw ( as a gay man) with the words “ Come on lads I’m straighter than that throw! “ ????.
25 Apr 2024 23:18:43
Yeah bend it like Beckham ?.