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Should VAR be used in football? Should VAR be used in football?
Yes. VAR is a net positive to the game Yes. VAR is a net positive to the game
No. VAR has made football worse No. VAR has made football worse
Yes, but something needs to change Yes, but something needs to change
VAR makes the game fairer VAR makes the game fairer
VAR will reduce cheating and fouling VAR will reduce cheating and fouling
VAR can create a more attacking game VAR can create a more attacking game
Normal referees make too many mistakes Normal referees make too many mistakes
Goal-line technology in football was a great success Goal-line technology in football was a great success
VAR should lead to less complaining VAR should lead to less complaining
Fans can no longer celebrate goals in the same way Fans can no longer celebrate goals in the same way
Mistakes are part of the game Mistakes are part of the game
VAR kills the passion of the game VAR kills the passion of the game
VAR takes too long VAR takes too long
Football is too free-flowing for VAR Football is too free-flowing for VAR
VAR can't review everything VAR can't review everything
VAR could be fixed if it allowed for the 'benefit of the doubt' VAR could be fixed if it allowed for the 'benefit of the doubt'
VAR is being deliberately sabotaged in England VAR is being deliberately sabotaged in England
Video review has been a success in other sports Video review has been a success in other sports
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Should VAR be used in football?
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Yes. VAR is a net positive to the game

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Goal-line technology in football was a great success

Goal-line technology faced many of the same questions as VAR, but proved to be very successful. It's only a matter of time before VAR's place in football is similarly seamless.
Edgar Alvarez
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Context

VAR stands for Video assistance referee and is a new way technology is used to help football referees on the field when they make decisions. They are mainly used for determining goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards or mistaken identity incidents. The video footage helps the referee to take a decision after viewing the video material. Anyhow, the use of VAR is controversially discussed as it could potentially underpin the role of the referee on the field.

The Argument

Goal line technology has been in use for football since 2012 when it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). According to FIFA, goal line technology is “a technical means of instantly determining whether the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line”. It works with a combination of cameras and magnetic fields. This technology has effectively reduced the controversies around so-called “goal-line incidents” like during the games between England and Germany in 1966 and 2010. Despite initial resistance and controversy, Goal line technology is an integral part of football today and has been accepted as a valid mean to make decisive decisions on the pitch. The same success is guaranteed for VAR after a time of adjustment after which its use will be as seamless as the one of goal-line technology. Anyhow, according to trainer José Morinho VAR has still a long way to go to improve as he said that “goal-line technology doesn't make mistakes like the VAR”. This means that VAR will need a few adjustments that codify its use more clearly as to decrease the amount of controversy it currently attracts.

Counter arguments

Goal line technology (GLT) and VAR are not comparable technologies and thus the success of GLT will not positively affect the one of VAR. GLT is a more clear cut technology that can be analysed more easily as it uses not only video footage but also magnetic fields which allow to establish scientific facts that are non-debatable. VAR on the other hand is used in more than one scenario and is subject to more controversy as it relies on human judgement more heavily.

Proponents

Framing

The success of GLT and its acceptance will transcend to the use VAR.

Premises

Acceptance of technology in one field has a spill-over effect to other innovations in the same field.

Rejecting the premises

There is no spill-over effect to other innovations in the same field if another technology is accepted amongst the community.

References

This page was last edited on Wednesday, 17 Jun 2020 at 14:45 UTC

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