Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should VAR be used in football?
Position‹3 of 3

Yes, but something needs to change

This position holds that VAR should be used in football, but that something needs to change. It argues that VAR in its current form is failing — perhaps even deliberately sabotaged in England — but that, as in other sports, it could work if reformed to allow the 'benefit of the doubt'.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. VAR is being deliberately sabotaged in England
    The Premier League and its referees do not want VAR to succeed. As a result, they are deliberately implementing it as badly as possible to see it scrapped.
  2. Video review has been a success in other sports
    The TMO in rugby brought no such controversy to the game and has been widely embraced. This shows that similar success in football is possible.
  3. VAR could be fixed if it allowed for the 'benefit of the doubt'
    Many of the most controversial VAR decisions have involved the VAR overruling the decision on the pitch based on tiny margins. The rules should specify a higher standard of clarity for VAR to overrule.