1.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 11:42:25
Good review of VAR, Seano. Another option would be to give teams two or three chances to refer decisions to a video ref. That way, if they are convinced a decision is incorrect, they have a limited number of chances to question it.

{Ed025's Note - thats just not cricket IDOG...well actually it is mate.. :)

2.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 12:31:19
I think the problem with that is that it would take even longer and slow things down further. and there is still no guarantee the right decision will be reached.

3.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 13:14:07
Agreed Seano, I was just suggesting another option. Personally, I don’t see any scenario that will guarantee correct decisions.
If VAR isn’t an upgrade on field refereeing, why implement it? It seems to be causing more controversy than the system it was brought in to replace.

4.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 14:04:44
I completely agree Gini, it has made things worse. I don't think perfect decisions are possible (or should be the aim), there just needs to be consistency so that everyone is on a level playing field. Right now it is miles away from consistent and it effects everyone. That City goal yesterday really summed up both the awful standard of officiating and the absolute rank incompetency of VAR when it failed to overturn it - why even have VAR when it cannot even correctly overrule a blatantly incorrect decision? As others have said it seems to be about protecting referees and their incompetence more than anything else.

5.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 14:20:06
We were discussing this yesterday Seano, at the game and then in the pub afterwards. again. It doesn't work, there is no consistency in the application so why not simplify it. For offsides if your foot is on side it stands, any other part of your body is often being used to propel yourself forward so shouldn't come into it. mane's hip a few weeks ago as he arched to head it, firmino's arm. even sterling's hand at the beginning of the season.

Similarly, for handball if it's used to control the ball to derive an advantage, blow the whistle. Using last night's game as an example, salah was deemed to have handled - it hit his mid riff, TAA handled, he fell, ball bounced up and hit him whilst his two hands were on the floor. It was ridiculous. Needs simplifying and a big screen like in the rugby to be used. Simple and effective.

6.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 15:13:10
I would change the rule where if the attacker is marginal did he score with the body part that was offside. If he did no goal if he didn't then let it stand.

7.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 15:32:35
They're all reasonable suggestions Robert, meaning the FA will likely never implement them. I think marginal offside decisions should just defer to the original decision made by the linesman - for handballs if any advantage is gained, accidental or otherwise, penalize it. It simplifies it and everyone knows where they stand - players might bemoan a penalty decision in which they accidentally handle the ball, but they will at least know why a penalty was awarded, and will expect a similar consequence for the opposition should a similar thing happen. Every single incident seems to be officiated slightly differently, which has caused massive confusion and frustration, and has left some teams with a very bitter taste in their mouths. I think Sheffield United have had some really rough luck - it's just as well they are doing well, if they were in a real dog fight these things could be the difference between relegation and survival.

8.) 30 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019 18:18:07
But going back to the onfield officials decisions, aren't linesmen now meant to keep their flags down if it's a close call and let the miracle of VAR sort out the fine details. 🤔.