I promise you that life was simpler before VAR. The introduction of VAR, and with it the implicit claim that problems were likely to be solved, not eased, by technology was lamentable and there are those of us who have always believed as much.
VAR is not technology making decisions. VAR’s are not robots. VAR’s are human beings being asked to make decisions based on their own interpretation – and use – of video footage. Human beings make mistakes. Just as referees made mistakes before the introduction of VAR, now VAR officials make mistakes. That was always going to happen because it happens in every industry in every walk of life under comparable conditions.
But it was never sold that way. To appease those who could not accept mistakes when they were made by referees on the field of play, they introduced a new system and told those same people that their fears would be appeased. Never mind that they would still be making subjective decisions.
Never mind that mistakes would still occur because we are not perfect. Never mind that the refereeing industry was already operating in conditions that make the job harder and never mind that abuse culture will eventually take it to breaking point.
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The Emirates is a fortress that could win Arsenal the title - it's become as key as any player11 February, 2023I do not expect this to make Arsenal supporters feel better. I can fully understand why they and Brighton fans are fuming. One club potentially missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table and the other to beat their fiercest rivals and reinforce their chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history. They have been undone by two lapses in competence and I feel sympathy for them for it.
I can’t condone the accusations of corruption or the abuse that will be directed at the officials, but then that has become fair game now. There exists an established cultural norm whereby a player or manager making a very foolish mistake is quickly forgiven, but an official doing the same is fair justification for rancid abuse. Whatever the explanation, it won’t change now and I’m sick of being called an apologist for saying it!
None of this helps the situation now. Howard Webb will call to make apologies. Referees will be stood down. Efforts will be redoubled. The audience will – entirely reasonably – demand better because the Premier League is awash with cash and so why shouldn’t the standards of officiating rise to its peak too. And everyone will miss the point that if you stand down a referee, another official who is, at this point, considered to be less capable will take their place.
We have a refereeing shortage. It’s going to get worse. These are the best referees we have and if they aren’t good enough, there isn’t a magical Narnia wardrobe of better options.
I don’t know where we go from here, or whether things will improve, but it’s hard to see a happy ending. Arsenal and Brighton were let down this weekend. But this is a multi-faceted, complex problem and there is blame due on every single side of it.
This is an excerpt from The Score, Daniel Storey’s weekly verdict on all 20 Premier League teams’ performances. Sign up here to receive the newsletter every Monday morning
Hackett: Mason should be sacked after Arsenal error
By PA staff
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called for VAR official Lee Mason to be sacked after he failed to rule out a goal which dented Arsenal’s title challenge.
The PA news agency understands Mason did not fully investigate an offside decision against Brentford’s Christian Norgaard during the build-up to Ivan Toney’s leveller during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Hackett’s call to Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief Howard Webb comes amid fresh controversy surrounding the implementation of VAR with Chelsea and Brighton also aggrieved at controversial decisions which went against them.
The former official said in a Twitter post: “Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL. One of the first things he should do is dismiss permanent VAR operator Lee Mason.
“This weekend, Mason lets another referee down by not disallowing the Brentford goal for offside. These are decisions that VAR should get right.”
The Gunners were leading courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s strike when Toney headed home from close range after Norgaard had turned the ball back across goal.
After a lengthy delay, referee Peter Bankes was advised to award a goal, much to the annoyance of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his players.
PA understands a block from Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock on Gabriel Magalhaes as Mathias Jensen swung a free-kick into the box was checked and cleared, but also that VAR official Mason did not fully investigate an offside call against Norgaard with no lines drawn on the screen to determine whether the Denmark international should have been penalised.
Arteta’s misgivings were matched by those of Chelsea counterpart Graham Potter, who saw his side denied a late penalty at West Ham as they were also held to a 1-1 draw having earlier had two “goals” correctly ruled out for offside.
Midfielder Tomas Soucek appeared to handle Conor Gallagher’s shot inside the area in his attempt to make a block, although referee Craig Pawson was not advised to review his decision not to award a penalty by VAR official Neil Swarbrick.
Bemused Blues boss Potter said: “I thought it was a good save. It looks like a handball to me. I didn’t know Tomas could get down that easily and save like that. But it’s not for me to say about VAR.”
Tomas Soucek's 'save' against Chelsea
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 12, 2023pic.twitter.com/H1Abgowwiz
Brighton too had cause for complaint after their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, during which they saw a first-half strike by Pervis Estupinan disallowed following a review.
VAR John Brooks ruled that the Ecuador international was offside, but television pictures later suggested the line had been drawn incorrectly from James Tomkins rather than fellow Palace defender Marc Guehi, who appeared to be playing him on.
The Seagulls confirmed on Sunday that they had received an apology from PGMOL for “a serious error”.
A spokesman said: “As was confirmed to the club by PGMOL last night, a serious error was made in disallowing Pervis Estupinan’s goal at Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon.
“The lines drawn in the VAR room to determine whether Pervis was in an offside position were drawn incorrectly, and the goal should have stood.
“While hugely disappointed by the error, the club has accepted PGMOL’s apology and will not be making any further comment.”
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