Will VAR help the Blades?

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Assuming VAR is the future for the beautiful game, ultimately will it be of benefit to the Blades? Do we think we have been the victim of some crazy or even biased refereeing decisions in the past? One incident that immediately springs to my mind was the mugging of Scoogs, simply because it was the most outrageous of the lot, but I'm also thinking of decisions that went the way of the big guys like Arsenal and Man Utd because I genuinely believe refs are naturally biased when clubs like ours come up against the top clubs. I'm not suggesting refs set out to be biased, but in all the years I've supported the Blades there have been a significant number of decisions that have gone the way of the "bigger" clubs that I'm convinced there is bias towards them, probably based on a subconscious pre-conceived notion that the superior footballing team is likely to be on the end of some rough stuff, so the ref needs to be particularly alert to penalise it at every opportunity.

VAR has sorted out a number of decisions in this World Cup, and we have to acknowledge that justice has been served in the vast majority of cases. The Spanish "offside" equaliser must have struck a chord with all Blades fans surely? OK - like you maybe I wanted them to lose the game, but the goal was given ..... and rightly so.

Lots of folks are biased towards Ronaldo (for whatever reason - logical or not) and maybe that includes BBC commentator Mark Lawrenson who disagreed with the penalty award, on the basis of him "not having control of the ball" when the defender clipped him. How can an ex-pro footballer of his stature not know the basic rule relating to penalties?

We often hear complaints from ex-players that some referees haven't played the game, as if it should be a pre-requisite for referee training and qualification to adjudicate at the top level. If "top-level" footballers who are touted as "experts" make such ill-judged or ill-informed comments like Lawrenson's, then maybe it's evidence that VAR is the only way to go.

I say "BRING IT ON" as soon as possible...... for the Blades, and all other clubs taking to the field as underdogs.

 

[SwissBlade]

Nah They'll have Tevez, Howard Wilkinson and Ainsworth in a room reviewing it all

Even if they were about to give us a decision, Trevor Brooking would be there tapping the sign on the wall "think of the fans"

 

[Tom Bott]

One incident that immediately springs to my mind was the mugging of Scoogs,

Or the penalty against Morgs for 'intent to foul'.

 

[TJB.]

Excerpt from Referee's Report: Sheffield United vs. West Ham United, FA Cup 3rd Rd, 6th January 2021

"After careful consideration from the VAR room and a split-second review from myself, it was abundantly clear that during the hefty tackle which the Sheffield United player was subjected to, he had purposely closed parts of his hand to reveal what is commonly known as a 'V sign'. This was clearly dissent and a second booking for the player who received a yellow card earlier in the game for tapping me on the shoulder. I recommend to The FA in their review of this case that the maximum penalty be brought upon the Sheffield United player which is, of course, chemical castration and a fine of £800,000"

 

[St Annington]

Middlesbrough away last season?

 

[jt64]

It'll be neutral, although as everyone always has selective memories in that the times we weren't awarded an obvious penalty are front and centre compared to the dodgy ones we got/stonewallers against us that weren't given, it'll just end up with the usual suspects saying it's rigged against us

 

[bartman]

Assuming VAR is the future for the beautiful game, ultimately will it be of benefit to the Blades? Do we think we have been the victim of some crazy or even biased refereeing decisions in the past? One incident that immediately springs to my mind was the mugging of Scoogs, simply because it was the most outrageous of the lot, but I'm also thinking of decisions that went the way of the big guys like Arsenal and Man Utd because I genuinely believe refs are naturally biased when clubs like ours come up against the top clubs. I'm not suggesting refs set out to be biased, but in all the years I've supported the Blades there have been a significant number of decisions that have gone the way of the "bigger" clubs that I'm convinced there is bias towards them, probably based on a subconscious pre-conceived notion that the superior footballing team is likely to be on the end of some rough stuff, so the ref needs to be particularly alert to penalise it at every opportunity.

VAR has sorted out a number of decisions in this World Cup, and we have to acknowledge that justice has been served in the vast majority of cases. The Spanish "offside" equaliser must have struck a chord with all Blades fans surely? OK - like you maybe I wanted them to lose the game, but the goal was given ..... and rightly so.

Lots of folks are biased towards Ronaldo (for whatever reason - logical or not) and maybe that includes BBC commentator Mark Lawrenson who disagreed with the penalty award, on the basis of him "not having control of the ball" when the defender clipped him. How can an ex-pro footballer of his stature not know the basic rule relating to penalties?

We often hear complaints from ex-players that some referees haven't played the game, as if it should be a pre-requisite for referee training and qualification to adjudicate at the top level. If "top-level" footballers who are touted as "experts" make such ill-judged or ill-informed comments like Lawrenson's, then maybe it's evidence that VAR is the only way to go.

I say "BRING IT ON" as soon as possible...... for the Blades, and all other clubs taking to the field as underdogs.

The problem with VAR is that it is getting involved in too many subjective opinions . Last night's game was a clear example where many were saying it was a clear sending off but the ref just gave a yellow card. In the same game two footed tackes were missed, penalties given for accidental handball and so on.The ref seemed to be pressured by players to use VAR. Who is in charge of the game ? The ref or VAR ?

When you have the farcical situation where in England's first game the ref, 3 other officials and the VAR team not spotting the wrestling moves on Kane leads to suspicion of the system. It was unbelievable that the penalty we got in the next game was referred to VAR> If the ref could see from his position it was a clear penalty from where he was he shouldn't be in charge of the game . FIFA seems to want the game more sterile yet won't clamp down on cheating/diving . They are more concerned about any possible anti-Brexit songs being sung by fans against Belgium.

For me, the ref officiates the game along with his assistants. Players should be booked for hounding the ref to use VAR. The VAR team should advise the ref if there is an incident that should be looked at and only then play is stopped and the ref then makes a decision. The reason for using VAR should be advised to the fans. It should only be used for 'line ' decisions( in or outside the box for a penalty, offsides etc), penalty decisions or incidents of serious foul play. However the ref should have already made a decision on the incident and it should then only be overturned if there is a clear error. If a ref has took look at an incident several times there must be some doubt.

Another way would be to allow the captains 1 VAR review per half nif they ask for it . If successful they keep the review. At the moment the current systems means the flow of the game is lost

Do you really think that any so called bias towards big clubs ( if there is any) will stop with VAR ?)

VAR is a cop out for poor refs at the moment.

Start with refs that are good at the their job and mentally strong and then use VAR to confirm how good they are

 

[bartman]

It'll be neutral, although as everyone always has selective memories in that the times we weren't awarded an obvious penalty are front and centre compared to the dodgy ones we got/stonewallers against us that weren't given, it'll just end up with the usual suspects saying it's rigged against us

Jack Lester would plenty of penalties for us with his diving

 

[grafikhaus]

An example where no VAR worked in our favour - just a brave 'referees assistant' and a referee admitting he got it wrong (a dying breed):

Although a midweek 0-0 draw at home to Brentford on 1st April, 2014 in Division One may not get the pulses racing, it was memorable for one incident. At the kop end, Kieron Freeman made a clean challenge to win the ball from an attacking Potter. The ref. thought differently and produced a red card for Freeman, failed to give a resultant penalty and – after consulting the lineman – reversed the red card decision and gave a drop-ball which United didn’t contest and the clearly-disgusted Brentford player slammed the ball into the advertising hoardings at the kop end. Our team that night included Jose Baxter, John Brayford, Conor Coady and Jamie Murphy. Up front for The Bees was Clayton Donaldson.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Shelton's blatant pen away at Old Trafford, something else that could have changed things that season. Having said that wasn't Danny Webber's goal at Watford a tad dodgy and that one went went our way.

Swings and roundabouts, we only tend to remember the ones that go against us.

 

[BLADES1988]

Scougall

 

[snootyfenooty]

I've been non-plussed so far due to dodgy penalties given and the certs which weren't. The diving and play-acting hasn't even been given a second look. The referee's bias towards the top clubs will continue due to the simple fact that the VAR adjudicator is also a referee.

FIFA are missing a trick here. Instead of a referee being the VAR judge why not have two ex-footballers, one defender and one attacker. They should both have to agree on the nature of the offence, if any. If only one of them thinks it's an infringement, then the process goes no further and the refs' original decision stands.

 

[jt64]

I've been non-plussed so far due to dodgy penalties given and the certs which weren't. The diving and play-acting hasn't even been given a second look. The referee's bias towards the top clubs will continue due to the simple fact that the VAR adjudicator is also a referee.

FIFA are missing a trick here. Instead of a referee being the VAR judge why not have two ex-footballers, one defender and one attacker. They should both have to agree on the nature of the offence, if any. If only one of them thinks it's an infringement, then the process goes no further and the refs' original decision stands.

That'd require ex-pros to know the rules, so how about no

 

[snootyfenooty]

That'd require ex-pros to know the rules, so how about no

They do know them and more importantly know the tricks involved in getting around them. With an attacker and defender on the panel you're getting an opinion from both points of view. In the unlikely event of them both agreeing, then it's most likely a valid decision.

 

[Silent Blade]

Jack Lester would plenty of penalties for us with his diving

When Jack Lester signed for Chesterfield, I told my workmate who supports Chesterfield that Jack would be popular with the fans and is very good at winning penalties. I was spot on!

 

[Tom Bott]

Scougall

Morgan.

Both.

VAR, she is pointing the wrong way..

 

[Danetheblade]

I personally don't like VAR. far too many footballers are looking for the easy option. Even more so with the added feature that is var. I also feel it takes away that... Controversy that football brings. Footballs not football without the "no way, that was definitely a penalty" it's becoming more like fifa. Imo of course.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Made the WC more exciting.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Assuming VAR is the future for the beautiful game, ultimately will it be of benefit to the Blades? Do we think we have been the victim of some crazy or even biased refereeing decisions in the past? One incident that immediately springs to my mind was the mugging of Scoogs, simply because it was the most outrageous of the lot, but I'm also thinking of decisions that went the way of the big guys like Arsenal and Man Utd because I genuinely believe refs are naturally biased when clubs like ours come up against the top clubs. I'm not suggesting refs set out to be biased, but in all the years I've supported the Blades there have been a significant number of decisions that have gone the way of the "bigger" clubs that I'm convinced there is bias towards them, probably based on a subconscious pre-conceived notion that the superior footballing team is likely to be on the end of some rough stuff, so the ref needs to be particularly alert to penalise it at every opportunity.

VAR has sorted out a number of decisions in this World Cup, and we have to acknowledge that justice has been served in the vast majority of cases. The Spanish "offside" equaliser must have struck a chord with all Blades fans surely? OK - like you maybe I wanted them to lose the game, but the goal was given ..... and rightly so.

Lots of folks are biased towards Ronaldo (for whatever reason - logical or not) and maybe that includes BBC commentator Mark Lawrenson who disagreed with the penalty award, on the basis of him "not having control of the ball" when the defender clipped him. How can an ex-pro footballer of his stature not know the basic rule relating to penalties?

We often hear complaints from ex-players that some referees haven't played the game, as if it should be a pre-requisite for referee training and qualification to adjudicate at the top level. If "top-level" footballers who are touted as "experts" make such ill-judged or ill-informed comments like Lawrenson's, then maybe it's evidence that VAR is the only way to go.

I say "BRING IT ON" as soon as possible...... for the Blades, and all other clubs taking to the field as underdogs.

I’m not keen on it tbh and I don’t think it will benefit us more than anyone else.

I think it will waste even more time. I read something recently that said out of 90 minutes the average time the ball is in play is less than 60. This will slow the game down even more. We’ll end up going the way of American football if we’re not careful, with constant stopping of the game.

But worse than that...it’s still not 100% accurate and if officials can’t make the right decision based on video evidence from every possible angle in slo-mo then what’s the point?

We can’t eliminate human error but now we have introduced “video-assisted human error” which is even worse!

Where do we go next? Decisions by committee? Maybe we can get the entire nation to ref the game by pressing the red button on their remote controls? FFS!

Let’s leave the game as it has been for the past hundred years or more. This VAR won’t improve anything - it may even lead to legal action with clubs claiming unfair treatment and sueing for lost revenue. It’s a can of worms we just don’t need to open. Put the lid back on quick!

 

[Rob86]

I’m more anti-AVR but I do think it could be useful in some instances, my main concern is that it is starting to influence subjective decisions. Which may end up questioning who is in charge of the game.

I have never witnessed it live, so can’t comment on the impact it has, but on TV it is quite entertaining and let’s face it, they fund the game, so it’ll be with us shortly.

In response to the OP, I don’t think we’ve been on the end of many bad decisions, but we may suffer having a more ‘honest’ squad, particularly if VAR starts looking at the slightest contact !! Billy could end up with 30 penalties though next season, if he’s got the legs to get in the box

 

[Rodley]

It’s complete toss.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Copy cricket DRS and it becomes simpler, give each captain 3 reviews and take it out of the hands of the ref and panel. For example Joe Root wants to review an LBW decision saying he's not out. It's then quite simple, was there enough evidence to change the umpires decision? If the ball pitched wide but was clipping the stumps the benefit goes with the umpire, if he got an inside edge the decision is over turned. Very simple system if used correctly.

 

[BladeFisher]

Shelton's blatant pen away at Old Trafford, something else that could have changed things that season. Having said that wasn't Danny Webber's goal at Watford a tad dodgy and that one went went our way.

Swings and roundabouts, we only tend to remember the ones that go against us.

Been plenty of them. That weren't the crucial one though. It were the one at West Ham (that frigging club again!)

 

[grafikhaus]

I've been non-plussed so far due to dodgy penalties given and the certs which weren't. The diving and play-acting hasn't even been given a second look. The referee's bias towards the top clubs will continue due to the simple fact that the VAR adjudicator is also a referee.

It gives players another reason to hassle the ref. As well as the gesturing to produce a card (which should be answered immediately by the ref. giving them a real card - Ungentlemanly Conduct), we now have them giving the 'TV gesture' (which should be answered by the ref. leaving the field, returning with a real TV and smashing it over their head. )

FIFA are missing a trick here. Instead of a referee being the VAR judge why not have two ex-footballers, one defender and one attacker. They should both have to agree on the nature of the offence, if any. If only one of them thinks it's an infringement, then the process goes no further and the refs' original decision stands.

Most TV pundits are ex-pros and just give a (usually) biased opinion. I've pointed out before that Blackman was sent off at Brentford last season for doing basically fuck all but the pundit said 'You cannot raise your arms to an opponent and expect to get away with it!' Days later some player from one of the 'chosen few' (Man. U., Liverpool, I can't remember) tried to rip an opponents head off. 'Nothing to see here. Carry on.' said the pundit. And that's why having ex-pros as VAR judges wouldn't work. ('I thought Chris Morgan definitely meant to foul Gerrard. He game him a dirty look'.) Most of them receive a fortune for being non-confrontational and 'safe' (think Lineker), Frank Dullard, Danny Murphy etc. Roy Keane goes the other way - he talks bullshit while trying to be controversial. As for 'if only one of them thinks it's an infringement...' we've got something similar at the moment where the lino waits to see which way the wind is blowing (the ref.) before moving his flag in that direction. The same would happen with two ex-pros.

They've looked at cricket, thought the 'appeals' system would work (and it has in cricket) and thought it could be seamlessly transferred to football. It can't, football is totally different. Look at the second Nigeria 'penalty' last night (head to hand by the Argie). Nobody can give a definitive answer if it was a penalty or not. I can't, the pundits can't and VAR judges couldn't.

Scrap VAR or have an X-Factor system where the viewers vote via a phone in. (Only joking, but I wouldn't put it past FIFA). Mind, the vacuous crowds - only concerned with seeing themselves on the stadium big screen - might prefer the X-Factor model...

 

[LenTednTony]

Based on what I have seen at the World Cup, there is still mighty biased decisions coming out of VAR, be it from the room or the ref after viewing again and again. Either that or the rules are not known in the first place, yknow hand to ball and all that.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Been plenty of them. That weren't the crucial one though. It were the one at West Ham (that frigging club again!)

You can't say any one is more crucial than any other,one slight change of event in September can re-write the rest of the season, don't you watch Dr Who

 

[Tom Bott]

we now have them giving the 'TV gesture' (which should be answered by the ref. leaving the field, returning with a real TV and smashing it over their head.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Scrap VAR or have an X-Factor system where the viewers vote via a phone in. (Only joking, but I wouldn't put it past FIFA). Mind, the vacuous crowds - only concerned with seeing themselves on the stadium big screen - might prefer the X-Factor model...

Yeah, noticed the birds (some nice ones too!) watching the screen and faking their interest in football. "Can I go t'world cup dear?". "Aye but only if I come wi yer". Joking aside, at the end of the Argie game yesterday, the girls were jumping up and down cheering and the men were fucking crying. Wtf?

 

[snb69]

I'm pro-VAR (referred decisions have been right far more than wrong), but the whole system needs a better explanation as to when it is used and how it is triggered, and who is making the decision. That is where both the rugby and cricket systems work well.

FIFA would do well to explain post-match why certain apparent penalties were not referred (rugby tackles on Kane and the Serbian striker) to build confidence in the system

 

[Houston_Blade]

It will change the game completely, already 40 games or so into its first proper use it's throwing up controversy and debate and is starting to make players think twice about how they act. Some for the better and some not. It will come in and I think it's a positive. Thinking about the costs in any of the non-top flight leagues around the world, what I would do is just move completely away from an on pitch referee and have someone sat a video screen making decisions based on technology. Get rid of the 2 linesmen and have someone watching in real time and pulling the game back as required. The current system of having 4 officials plus 3 VAR officials is not sustainable apart from at the top end of the game.

In terms of the Blades, we'll win some, we'll lose some. Given the perception that we're always hard done to we should win more than we lose, however all clubs think they're hard done to so we won't.