Now, I’m all for kicking VAR out of the game (technology, rules and laws should be applicable from the World Cup final to Sunday league game in the middle of a November rain storm on the Rec), but I actually think (on the whole) VAR in the World Cup has been significantly better than its use elsewhere in domestic and European football.
They seem to be trying not to re-referee the games as much as possible and let on field decisions stand, which I think is the best way. Too often this season the refs haven’t made decisions and just relied on VAR to do their jobs and bail them out*
And while I do believe we should have had a pen against DR Congo, I respect the fact the ref made a decision and VAR didn’t deem it heinous enough to make the change. I would much rather refs be human and make the odd mistake in football - and the games flow than constant stop/start of VAR checks and waiting around for minutes.
Obvious mistakes (like that lampard goal vs Germany) are the sort of night and day fact based decisions VAR should be looking at. Same with offside. But interpretation/split second/refereeing/player tackle decisions made at full speed should be refereed at full speed. Not slow motion and 463 different angles.
*I haven’t seen the Belgium/senegal incident so the above goes without using that to influence my thoughts after the England game.
Edit: Having seen the Belgium pen now, I can see why the ref didn’t give it in the first place but also why it was given on review.
That was another example, imho, where they could/should have let the onfield decision stand whichever way the ref called it. But he could have called it either way.
Lukaku reminded me very much of Bayo last night. Doesn’t look how footballers are supposed to look, immobile but somehow bloody effective. Doesn’t seem to be as lovely a character however.
I think its more the inconsistency throughout this tournament. If the ref in that game didn’t give it then went to the monitor, the ref in the Eng v DRC game should have at least been asked to check the monitor. See also Balogun’s red and Messi’s challenge going without punishment.
If I understand your point, if VAR ask the ref to reassess a penalty decision that they believe he got wrong, then VAR should have to refer the ref to the monitor every time he declines to give a penalty - in order for there to be consistency.
I think I would give up watching football in that case.
So obvious that the referee didn’t originally give it and VAR had to review it from multiple angles to find one to back up their opinion.
Pundits and fans who’ve seen the same footage don’t think it was a penalty - the Belgian player steps across the DR Congo player, he isn’t in control of the ball, and it can be argued he instigated any contact which was minimal and best.
No not every penalty decision, but ones that are tight like the aforementioned whereby the ref could do with the help of multiple angles. In the studio 2 pundits thought it was a penalty and 2 didn’t which shows how difficult a decision it was. The difference between a penalty or a player booked for diving (which he should have been if the ref thought he was diving) is massive in a world cup game.
Aren’t you going to get that when FIFA select the “best officials” from the different nations? While football is the same game, they are played in different ways. England’s leagues are faster than the Italian leagues, German might be more physical than Spain’s league. That will mean that the officials might let things go or be more picky on things, you just have to role with the punches
I’d rather VAR set a very high bar for intervention and just go with the referee’s decision. I don’t mind they didn’t get involved with the Kane one, and by the same logic I don’t think VAR should have got involved in the Belgium one either. You can make a reasonable case either way on both decisions, so unless it’s stonewall just stick with what the ref says.
The whole point of the system is that you don’t review the ones that are tight, you go with the ref’s decision unless it is an obvious mistake - else you are reviewing the obvious ones and the tight ones, which is all of the decisions.
You seem to have a rather odd obsession @Bayo with aiming weird quips/barbs in my direction. I hope you are OK.
FWIW it was clearly a marginal call but though I was rooting for Senegal, I do have to grudgingly admit that it felt like a foul. My gripe would actually be on a slightly different point. Immediately after the coming together a Belgian forward had an unchallenged shot from centre of goal nine yards out and blasted it over. It doesn’t feel equitable that they are given two chances to score from the same incident. Should the missed shot not count as having played advantage hence no pen.
You are the self appointed VAR expert on here so I thought it would be useful to get your valued impart.
I am quite well thank you, albeit a bit hot. Thanks for asking though, it is much appreciated.