manchesterwolf17
Just doesn't shut up
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- Jan 28, 2015
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Ruling out goals for toenail offsides last week, and now back to it's full abhorrent self.
No words for how much I hate it. I would 100% rather the game be riddled with bad decisions than have this ****ing thing hanging over every single moment of joy.
Last year I wrote an article regarding my thoughts on it. If you have the patience, feel free to give it a read and see what you think:
VAR and its impact on Football:
Most avid football supporters will recall their first game as vividly as they will anything else. The walk to the stadium. The turnstiles. The smell of pies and lager. These things become accustom to us as time goes by, but that first match cements itself long in the memory.
Nostalgia is challenging to avoid when the essence of something once so pure and enchanting seemingly disappears into something so inadequate. Human nature is so, that looking back with rose tinted glasses often evades the reality of grey days. But things do change for the worse. Some things are unquestionably tainted in a present that lays inferior to what went before.
Football is an incredibly simple sport with incredibly sporadic but unmatched moments of joy. At least it was once upon a time. Pre 2019 to be exact.
After several years of rumouring and suggesting, the notion of VAR was introduced to the English Premier League during the aforementioned year, under a premise of the eradication of a now infamous 'clear and obvious' officiating error.
A term itself coated in ambiguity, but one initially that seemed to catch the attention and approval of a majority. No longer would 'Hand of God' goals be mistakenly missed by a referee. No longer would a player be able to effectively con the man in the middle by diving in the box and winning his side a penalty. No longer would we as fans walk away from a game feeling that burning sense of injustice. If our team lose, it's because the opposition put the ball in the back of the net a superior number of times, and that is that. End of story.
It all begins to sound so marvellous, does it not?
Perhaps misguided by a 2018 World Cup in which VAR was generally considered a success (aka it didn't screw England over) There was a reasonable sense of optimism toward the technology at the beginning of its inaugural campaign. A curiosity if nothing else.
But then reality hit home. Fans quickly discovered VAR to be the joy destroying poison that it is. You see, to those who fail to appreciate the sport, this is where it becomes somewhat difficult to explain. However, for those immersed in the game, the following paragraph will resonate entirely.
The appeal that football brings to a fan cannot be defined and isolated simply by the contents of the match itself. Football is a way of releasing emotion. Releasing the stress that the majority of us experience through the trivialities that life thrusts upon us. Whatever may be going on elsewhere, during that hour and a half, the mind is focused on 22 players. Half of which we want to perform better than the other.
Think of the most you've ever celebrated your team scoring a goal. Is there a comparable experience of such intense and sudden ecstasy? (Maybe don't answer that)... Jumping around in the away end with a mass of strangers following an injury time winner. How do you begin to explain that sort of feeling to the casual or non-fans of the game?
And this is what VAR is destroying. This is where the real poison of the dagger exists. No longer can these moments be what they once were. When a ball hits the net, a fans immediate emotion is not one of such unrivalled joy. What that has turned into is trepidation. Trepidation and paranoia. Have I missed something in the build up? Was there an offside that they're going to measure to within an inch of a players (insert appropriate body part)? Ultimately, have my team scored a goal and can I enjoy this? Questions that when answered either way, result in the same outcome. A lost moment.
This sort of thing goes beyond tribalism. It's far more important than upmanship. These futile nonsenses of 'you weren't saying that when x profited last week from VAR' is nothing but a distraction, and a costly one at that. Whilst bickering of such pointless nature clogs up comment sections, the real issue with the technology continues to be avoided.
The truth of the matter is, we all suffer because of it. We all feel that confusion and reluctance when our team scores a goal. Wondering if we may 'get away' with it. How is it possible not to feel this way? So long as VAR exists in any capacity, this will always remain. That is something you simply have to accept if your stance is elsewhere. Talk of patience and eventual improvements are near enough redundant. Whilst ultimately, more goals may be given. Offsides may become more lenient. That feeling. That feeling you have now as a fan whenever your team scores a goal. That feeling of once pure adrenaline and joy, will continue to be tainted.
Already we see players reluctant to celebrate these sorts of moments. Perhaps illustrated most tragically, during Scotland's decisive European Championship Qualifier in Serbia, following goalkeeper David Marshall's denial of Alexander Mitrovic's penalty. A shootout save that sent his country to their first major tournament in 23 years. Instead of running away in some sort of Nicky Weaver tribute act mode, Marshall stood, waiting anxiously for the line official standing within the box to confirm with VAR that his save was in fact legitimate. This in a nutshell is exactly the sort of reason why VAR cannot and will not ever work within football.
To the armchair fan, perhaps, yes, the cinematic and often tense drama of it all may be somewhat appealing. To the casual fan, the thought of decisions being categorically correct (despite this never being possible) takes priority over being able to fully commit to a celebration again. But to the true supporter, this is simply not the case.
What we are losing from the game overweighs the positives of VAR astronomically. Robin Van Persie's stunning volley against Aston Villa to seal Sir Alex Ferguson's final title in 2013, would now be ruled out for offside. Lost in the archives. Jamie Vardy's record equalling consecutive strike against Newcastle in 2015 would now be ruled out by VAR. Further examples of such memorable goals could be listed. Does anyone know with certainty whether Tony Adams' shoulder blade would have been deemed ahead of the final defender on the way to his title clinching Highbury goal against Everton? That would ruin the moment somewhat, wouldn't it...
" Adams, played through by Steve Bould. Would you BELIEVE IT!!!... THAT! Sums it all up!...
Oh, and they're just checking for an offside "...
Even the dulcet tones of Martin Tyler would struggle to execute that with vigour.
It's imperative that those in power have some form of understanding at what impact this is doing to the game.
Fans of relegated Premier League sides will express their somewhat relief at the thought of being able to enjoy a goal again in their upcoming season. This is what it has come to. Yet, still, there is a baffling reluctance from some to address the elephant in the room. Talk among pundits will often turn to the duration of decisions, the inability to hear what the referee and VAR official are discussing. Annoyances, undoubtedly. But paling in comparisons to the real issue.
An argument that is regularly thrown in, in support of VAR is the necessity for these decisions to be correct, because of the potential financial impact surrounding them. Well, perhaps this is a bigger issue that needs addressing in itself.
It feels as though what we are doing is delaying the inevitable. Is it a bold prediction to foresee in 2-3 years' time fans collectively muted in celebration within stadiums? How could this not happen? Every single weekend we witness goals ruled out by the tightest of offside margins. Whether that leniency is moved or otherwise, how can we as fans ever really be sure from the stands that we haven't missed something? Ruben Neves' 30-yard strike against Manchester United in August 2019, VAR's first month had the fine-tooth comb treatment for an absurd offside in the build-up. No goal is safe from the threat of this. It's impossible. Once VAR has burnt you once, it stays with you.
VAR in principle was a good idea. No one likes feeling cheated. But this has brought an entirely unprecedented level of frustration and anger that no refereeing mistake without technology could ever replicate. Were we all far too harsh on officials? Yes. Unquestionably. I'm afraid however that this comes with the job description. And what the introduction of VAR has taught us is that incompetence will exist Irregardless.
Sooner or later, if they haven't to some extent already, fans will turn away because of this. When you cannot celebrate your team scoring a goal, quickly, the realisation becomes clear. What is the point? What is the point of spending hard-earned money, for every moment of supposed enjoyment to be diluted? This is not what football is about. It has never been and never ever will. So, why not refrain from trying to perfect a sport that thrives off its natural imperfection?
No words for how much I hate it. I would 100% rather the game be riddled with bad decisions than have this ****ing thing hanging over every single moment of joy.
Last year I wrote an article regarding my thoughts on it. If you have the patience, feel free to give it a read and see what you think:
VAR and its impact on Football:
Most avid football supporters will recall their first game as vividly as they will anything else. The walk to the stadium. The turnstiles. The smell of pies and lager. These things become accustom to us as time goes by, but that first match cements itself long in the memory.
Nostalgia is challenging to avoid when the essence of something once so pure and enchanting seemingly disappears into something so inadequate. Human nature is so, that looking back with rose tinted glasses often evades the reality of grey days. But things do change for the worse. Some things are unquestionably tainted in a present that lays inferior to what went before.
Football is an incredibly simple sport with incredibly sporadic but unmatched moments of joy. At least it was once upon a time. Pre 2019 to be exact.
After several years of rumouring and suggesting, the notion of VAR was introduced to the English Premier League during the aforementioned year, under a premise of the eradication of a now infamous 'clear and obvious' officiating error.
A term itself coated in ambiguity, but one initially that seemed to catch the attention and approval of a majority. No longer would 'Hand of God' goals be mistakenly missed by a referee. No longer would a player be able to effectively con the man in the middle by diving in the box and winning his side a penalty. No longer would we as fans walk away from a game feeling that burning sense of injustice. If our team lose, it's because the opposition put the ball in the back of the net a superior number of times, and that is that. End of story.
It all begins to sound so marvellous, does it not?
Perhaps misguided by a 2018 World Cup in which VAR was generally considered a success (aka it didn't screw England over) There was a reasonable sense of optimism toward the technology at the beginning of its inaugural campaign. A curiosity if nothing else.
But then reality hit home. Fans quickly discovered VAR to be the joy destroying poison that it is. You see, to those who fail to appreciate the sport, this is where it becomes somewhat difficult to explain. However, for those immersed in the game, the following paragraph will resonate entirely.
The appeal that football brings to a fan cannot be defined and isolated simply by the contents of the match itself. Football is a way of releasing emotion. Releasing the stress that the majority of us experience through the trivialities that life thrusts upon us. Whatever may be going on elsewhere, during that hour and a half, the mind is focused on 22 players. Half of which we want to perform better than the other.
Think of the most you've ever celebrated your team scoring a goal. Is there a comparable experience of such intense and sudden ecstasy? (Maybe don't answer that)... Jumping around in the away end with a mass of strangers following an injury time winner. How do you begin to explain that sort of feeling to the casual or non-fans of the game?
And this is what VAR is destroying. This is where the real poison of the dagger exists. No longer can these moments be what they once were. When a ball hits the net, a fans immediate emotion is not one of such unrivalled joy. What that has turned into is trepidation. Trepidation and paranoia. Have I missed something in the build up? Was there an offside that they're going to measure to within an inch of a players (insert appropriate body part)? Ultimately, have my team scored a goal and can I enjoy this? Questions that when answered either way, result in the same outcome. A lost moment.
This sort of thing goes beyond tribalism. It's far more important than upmanship. These futile nonsenses of 'you weren't saying that when x profited last week from VAR' is nothing but a distraction, and a costly one at that. Whilst bickering of such pointless nature clogs up comment sections, the real issue with the technology continues to be avoided.
The truth of the matter is, we all suffer because of it. We all feel that confusion and reluctance when our team scores a goal. Wondering if we may 'get away' with it. How is it possible not to feel this way? So long as VAR exists in any capacity, this will always remain. That is something you simply have to accept if your stance is elsewhere. Talk of patience and eventual improvements are near enough redundant. Whilst ultimately, more goals may be given. Offsides may become more lenient. That feeling. That feeling you have now as a fan whenever your team scores a goal. That feeling of once pure adrenaline and joy, will continue to be tainted.
Already we see players reluctant to celebrate these sorts of moments. Perhaps illustrated most tragically, during Scotland's decisive European Championship Qualifier in Serbia, following goalkeeper David Marshall's denial of Alexander Mitrovic's penalty. A shootout save that sent his country to their first major tournament in 23 years. Instead of running away in some sort of Nicky Weaver tribute act mode, Marshall stood, waiting anxiously for the line official standing within the box to confirm with VAR that his save was in fact legitimate. This in a nutshell is exactly the sort of reason why VAR cannot and will not ever work within football.
To the armchair fan, perhaps, yes, the cinematic and often tense drama of it all may be somewhat appealing. To the casual fan, the thought of decisions being categorically correct (despite this never being possible) takes priority over being able to fully commit to a celebration again. But to the true supporter, this is simply not the case.
What we are losing from the game overweighs the positives of VAR astronomically. Robin Van Persie's stunning volley against Aston Villa to seal Sir Alex Ferguson's final title in 2013, would now be ruled out for offside. Lost in the archives. Jamie Vardy's record equalling consecutive strike against Newcastle in 2015 would now be ruled out by VAR. Further examples of such memorable goals could be listed. Does anyone know with certainty whether Tony Adams' shoulder blade would have been deemed ahead of the final defender on the way to his title clinching Highbury goal against Everton? That would ruin the moment somewhat, wouldn't it...
" Adams, played through by Steve Bould. Would you BELIEVE IT!!!... THAT! Sums it all up!...
Oh, and they're just checking for an offside "...
Even the dulcet tones of Martin Tyler would struggle to execute that with vigour.
It's imperative that those in power have some form of understanding at what impact this is doing to the game.
Fans of relegated Premier League sides will express their somewhat relief at the thought of being able to enjoy a goal again in their upcoming season. This is what it has come to. Yet, still, there is a baffling reluctance from some to address the elephant in the room. Talk among pundits will often turn to the duration of decisions, the inability to hear what the referee and VAR official are discussing. Annoyances, undoubtedly. But paling in comparisons to the real issue.
An argument that is regularly thrown in, in support of VAR is the necessity for these decisions to be correct, because of the potential financial impact surrounding them. Well, perhaps this is a bigger issue that needs addressing in itself.
It feels as though what we are doing is delaying the inevitable. Is it a bold prediction to foresee in 2-3 years' time fans collectively muted in celebration within stadiums? How could this not happen? Every single weekend we witness goals ruled out by the tightest of offside margins. Whether that leniency is moved or otherwise, how can we as fans ever really be sure from the stands that we haven't missed something? Ruben Neves' 30-yard strike against Manchester United in August 2019, VAR's first month had the fine-tooth comb treatment for an absurd offside in the build-up. No goal is safe from the threat of this. It's impossible. Once VAR has burnt you once, it stays with you.
VAR in principle was a good idea. No one likes feeling cheated. But this has brought an entirely unprecedented level of frustration and anger that no refereeing mistake without technology could ever replicate. Were we all far too harsh on officials? Yes. Unquestionably. I'm afraid however that this comes with the job description. And what the introduction of VAR has taught us is that incompetence will exist Irregardless.
Sooner or later, if they haven't to some extent already, fans will turn away because of this. When you cannot celebrate your team scoring a goal, quickly, the realisation becomes clear. What is the point? What is the point of spending hard-earned money, for every moment of supposed enjoyment to be diluted? This is not what football is about. It has never been and never ever will. So, why not refrain from trying to perfect a sport that thrives off its natural imperfection?
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