Technology has become a more import aspect of football. Several technological developments have been implemented in the football industry in the last decade. The main technologies that have been applied are related to data: scouting talented players, match analyses and optimize ticket prices. Another totally different development related to the football industry is the ‘Video Assistant Referee’ (VAR). Although the VAR is not a difficult technology to implement, the impact on the sport is quite significant. The opinions about the VAR are highly divided.
The main advantage of the introduction of the VAR is that it brings more fairness in the game. A wrong decision can have an enormous consequence for a football club money wise. The VAR supports and protects the referee in those ‘heavy’ decisions. Besides, it reduces ‘bad’ behavior. Fewer red cards are given in games where VAR is available and it prevents players from a fake dive or making a ‘foul’ when the referee is not watching (Campos, 2018).
The negative aspects are more subjective: it reduces the emotional and human aspect of the game. The fanatic football supporters experience less entertainment and excitement when a team scores a goal because players and the supporters are first checking if the goal is ‘confirmed’. The disruption of the game is for many supporters an irritating factor. Besides, there are still situations where the VAR is applied not consistent and not correctly (Kothari, 2017).
In conclusion, the pro arguments are more objective, and the negative aspects are relatively subjective. I would consider the VAR system applied in the same way as in hockey and tennis. A coach has limited possibilities to apply the VAR option. When it has been used correctly, the team will keep its VAR options. In this way, the VAR is less dominant.
Reference
Campos, M. (2018). VAR in the 2018 World Cup has its pros and cons | The Peak. Geraadpleegd op 6 oktober 2019, van https://the-peak.ca/2018/07/var-in-the-2018-world-cup-has-its-pros-and-cons/
Kothari, S. (2017). What are the pros and cons of VAR (Visual Assistant Referee) in football matches? – Quora. Geraadpleegd op 6 oktober 2019, van https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-VAR-Visual-Assistant-Referee-in-football-matches
