Even during the international break, the talk of VAR doesn’t stop. The Premier League is a regular source of controversy, with risky decisions causing uproar on an almost weekly basis. Their incompetence was on full display in the draw between England and Uruguay, and if things continue like this, this summer’s World Cup could be thrown into chaos.
There were some inconsistencies in decision-making by match officials during Friday’s match at Wembley. Ben White gave England the lead in the second half, hitting the ball at the back post from a corner kick. The goal was initially reviewed by VAR, who ruled that the scuffle during the build-up was not a foul.
The technology was activated again in stoppage time when White went for the ball with Federico Vinas inside England’s box.
White was adjudged to have clipped an opponent’s leg and was awarded a penalty, which Federico Valverde converted to force Uruguay into a draw.
The problem was that White was clearly trying too hard to block the ball. If he did nothing, Venus would have had a chance to score. What else was he supposed to do? Should I just let him shoot?
One of the main problems with VAR is that there is no room for common sense or interpretation. As with most decisions in soccer, the rules are applied in a very black and white manner.
It was slow, it was reckless and he deserved a red card. This was a clear-cut case. However, VAR had a different view and Araujo was not even named.
How can we not apply appropriate punishment for such an out-of-control tackle and give a soft penalty for an obvious attempt to play the ball?
These inconsistencies have been regularly seen in the Premier League, but the same problems have crept into international football, painting an alarming picture ahead of the World Cup.
Emma Hayes summed it up nicely on ITV Sport, saying: “What’s the point of having VAR? That’s what I don’t understand. If you’re using VAR in penalty and corner situations, but not in blatant red card moments, I don’t understand.”
The problem was never VAR itself. The problem is always the incompetence of the officials behind it.
The way technology is used selectively in situations like this ruins the game. All we want is a consistent approach. Is that really too much to ask?
At this rate, football’s biggest tournament is at risk of being overshadowed by even more boring VAR drama, and no one wants that. Let’s hope the World Cup referees have more common sense and don’t try to make decisions based solely on themselves.
