After another weekend of controversy, so just how can VAR be successful? Here are just a few thoughts off the top of my head and how we could learn from the NFL - which isn't perfect, but a damn sight better than the Premier League's offering:
A SMART approach!
A SMART approach!
- Realistic - Increase the frame rate - It's widely been reported that the technology uses 50 fps, when it needs to be nearly 5 times that. This would cost potentially tens of thousands of pounds. But is a drop in the ocean compared to the revenues they receive - it should be demanded by the clubs if VAR is to continue.
- Specific - Any VAR decision is viewed by the Ref too - They have this in NFL, it really should be brought in here. Hell, this is a broadcasters dream, in NFL any review they cut to a 30 second commercial break - this is a no bloody brainer commercially. Moreover, it would stop players arguing with the officials after the game if they've actually saw the incident back so they could explain rather than stock answer "VAR reviewed it", they are so scared of the flow of the game, when all they are doing at the moment is holding a finger to their ear like they have lost signal and damaging the game.
- Time Bound If they are so concerned about the flow, they could bring a time limit in... From when the ref goes what NFL term "under the hood" - you have a 60 second timer. At the end of the timer the decision and the ref/VAR are still undecided, the outcome should be
- Stick with on-field decision if relating to a foul/red card incident.
- Or if it's an off-side decision, benefit of the doubt goes to the attacker.
- This would stop incidents like the Mane one, running and running. But would also give the VAR assistant close to 90 seconds from start to finish.
- Accountable & Measurable The VAR assistants must be accountable, Pickford escaped punishment because it was "looked at". Well if that's the case, they should also be dropped where they have themselves made a clear and obvious error. Have a panel of volunteers who review the performance and make recommendations accordingly.