Let’s start off by stating the obvious: nobody is happy with VAR in its current format.
The VAR system was introduced to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season to help referees overturn clear and obvious errors, but now it’s being used to forensically analyse decisions that are often subjective — from fouls to handballs and even the occasional offside.
A system that was supposed to limit the debate around refereeing decisions has only stoked more controversy, culminating in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta calling the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s goal in Newcastle United’s 1-0 victory over his side, following a triple VAR check, an “absolute disgrace”.
VARs are getting too many things wrong, while the constant delays for reviews are causing confusion in the stands. Around 64 per cent of readers surveyed by The Athletic said VARs had made the game worse, while almost half wanted it scrapped entirely.
The only thing everybody agrees on is that something needs to change and The Athletic has come up with a two-fold solution.
The first part is easy: introduce semi-automated offsides. Premier League clubs voted against them earlier this year, but they were successfully used at the men’s and women’s World Cups and are used in the Champions League. Theoretically,…
