Aston Villa and Liverpool suffer but Brighton finally benefit from 'emotion-draining' VAR

The decision reviewing system, implemented at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, has looked favourably at the Seagulls against Aston Villa and Liverpool, respectively. First at Villa Park, with Graham Potter’s side protecting a 2-1 lead, Solly March’s challenge on Trezeguet late on was deemed to be a foul inside the box by on-field referee Michael Oliver. However, after consulting Stockley Park the decision was overturned and Brighton held on and claimed three points. A week-on, Brighton were awarded an injury time penalty themselves thanks to VAR for a foul on Danny Welbeck. Pascal Gross stepped up and equalised from the spot, which gave Albion a deserved point. Offside decisions have become the most meticulous and tiresome events since VAR’s introduction. The inconsistencies within each uncertain line drawn has caused chaos among fans, players and pundits alike. Sadio Mane’s second half header was rightly ruled offside by VAR, but even the most loyal Seagulls fan would understand the frustration felt by the Reds for the offside call on Mohammed Salah. The Egypt international thought he had beaten the offside trap before lifting the ball past Matt Ryan in the Albion net. However, after a lengthy delay where the remote officials analysed every millimetre of Salah’s body, they deemed his toe to be offside. Now this begs the question, ‘was this a clear and obvious error from the linesman?’ VAR has moved away from what it was brought in for; clear and obvious errors. As soon as the remote officials have to start drawing lines to the millimetre, then the decision should stay with the on field referee or linesman’s call. Times sports writer Henry Winter hit the nail on the head with his assessment on twitter by writing: “Clear and obvious is dead and buried. It is no more. It is now all about pedants at Stockley Park looking for anything in slow motion. "VAR good if used as a safety net just to catch shockers. Why not let the game flow, use VAR judiciously & invest more in developing better refs?” There is also an argument now to be said that VAR is changing the way football is played. James Milner hit out after the draw at the AMEX saying he is “falling out of love with the game in its current state.” Players now have to be conscious of any slight error being slowed down in terms of handballs and slight contact in, or outside the box. Despite the occasional decision that VAR gets right, fans haven’t taken to the technology. Many feel that the emotion is being sucked out of the game as goal celebrations have to be muted just in case a player’s armpit is offside. Fans are one of the most important factors to the sport, and if their hard earned money is now getting an inferior product, fans will simply give up on it. From Brighton’s point-of-view, they were stung by VAR against Manchester United. After the full-time whistle had blown at 2-2, referee Chris Kavanagh was called to review a potential penalty prior to the final whistle. After a lengthy consultation, VAR overturned the decision and awarded the Red Devils a spot-kick. Bruno Fernandes then notched in the 10th minute of injury time. This isn’t football. If VAR can operate for the reasons it was brought in for, then football would be able to evolve in the right way. But in its current form, it is not fit for purpose.