The video assistant referee system was supposed to be a boon but it has turned into a curse. An incident at Tottenham on Saturday in which the VAR, Darren England, thought he was confirming a goal while actually disallowing it, is likely the greatest calamity to be linked to the technology. But it is hardly the first.
Can anything be done to fix VAR’s problems? Some argue not, and suggest the technology should be disposed of, an unlikely outcome for a number of reasons; the time and money and reputation invested being one, another being the fact refereeing would get demonstrably worse should it be removed. Others argue instead for substantial alterations, including the recruitment of referees from abroad and the training of VAR specialist officials. There are some simpler measures that could be taken, too …
