Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has admitted that VAR will ‘always have teething problems’, ahead of his side’s game with Burnley today.
The Blades have not been involved in too many VAR incidents as yet this season. There has, however, been occasions where it has worked for and against them.
United got away with one in many fans’ eyes when John Egan pulled an Arsenal player in the box two weeks ago. In the home tie against Southampton though, Wilder insists his team should have had a penalty. In that same fixture, Oli McBurnie also saw a goal correctly ruled out for offside.
But despite the controversy surrounding VAR, Wilder insists he is a fan of it in the main.
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“I think, with VAR, there will always be teething problems. The PGMOL (the body which looks after officials) will know these situations are bound to happen,” Wilder said, with quotes taken from the Yorkshire Post.
“We’ve had decisions that have been against us. As long as there’s consistency in the decision-making, it’s here to make the game better and hopefully it does.”
The case for VAR
In theory, VAR should work and help officials. And it has done that at times this season.
However, a report compiled by ESPN has revealed that more goals have been prevented than given. The stats show that some 16 goals have been ruled out because of VAR. Crystal Palace and Leicester have been the main beneficiaries of the the system, with three each in their favour so far this term.
Our view
VAR is good for the game, as long as it’s being used correctly and consistently, as Wilder touches on.
At the moment, too many decisions are subjective. Clear cut incidents like offside are when VAR is at its best. The problem arises when it’s around penalties or fouls. Sometimes you can sit and watch these on repeat and still not agree with the person next to you.
It’s a cliche, but there’s definitely a case for football to take a note out rugby’s book. Even just being able to hear the referee’s discussion would help. At the moment, too many fans are left in limbo.
Chris Wilder, however, will be hoping VAR is on his side this weekend at Bramall Lane.