Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder thinks getting rid of VAR in the Premier League would be unfair.
The video assistant referee technology was introduced into the top flight of English football this season and has already proved controversial.
The Blades have had a goal ruled out by the technology themselves this term. Oli McBurnie scored against Southampton, but VAR determined John Egan was in an offside position.
The system later failed to give United a spot-kick in the same match at Bramall Lane. A corner appeared to hit James Ward-Prowse on the arm, but the decision of no-penalty was not overturned.
Despite this, in general, Wilder is a supporter of VAR. Or he certainly hasn’t been vocal in his opposition of its use.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
And while others may disagree, Wilder does not want to see it disbanded.
“They’ve got to bat through with it now, they have to bat through with it, if you have a stop and a rethink, does it punish teams that things have gone against?” the 52-year-old told Sky Sports.
“You hope that it all evens itself out come the middle of May, they’ve got to crack on with it now and just hopefully make as many right decisions as possible and it doesn’t become the main talking point of the game.”
Chris Wilder and VAR
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Wilder has a point. If a VAR decision has gone against a team and they go onto drop points, then it has affected them.
Therefore if it is ditched mid-season, those games that are played afterwards will not be balanced.
It works both ways. If VAR is no longer in use and the referee misses something that it would have picked up, that could also cause issues.
For better or worse, Wilder is right, and English sides should at least have to see out the rest of the 2019/20 campaign with it active.
