So, before VAR…

**Optional** · 03-03-23, 04:50 PM

VAR sucks.

But corrupt refs make it too hard to rely on their call alone anymore

**texhooper** · 03-03-23, 05:18 PM

Doh!

**Hugh Madbrough** · 03-03-23, 05:38 PM

In yesterday's Copa Libertadores game between Millonarios and Universidad Catolica, the crowd threw coins at the refs after UC was awarded a penalty. It was a penalty though, i'll admit it. I'm a Millos fan. Game had no VAR.

**pavyracer** · 03-03-23, 10:27 PM

Before VAR you had to know people at the right places to win bets in soccer. Knowing if the ref was in the fix was critical. But once you knew where the fix is going to be placing the bet was sweat free.

**texhooper** · 03-03-23, 10:56 PM

Hahaha DAMN YOU VAR

**semibluff** · 03-03-23, 11:55 PM

Most of the problems with soccer stem from the game being run by an organisation, (FIFA), whose aims don't mesh with the core supporter in Europe that provides the sport's income. VAR has been unpopular from day 1 because it's doing what FIFA wants to be seen to be doing rather than meeting the consensus opinion of fans on any given decision. Fans want VAR to correct obvious errors. If it's not obvious then let the referee control the game. From it's inception VAR has overruled the referee on decisions that are incredibly tight.

**texhooper** · 03-04-23, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by semibluff

Most of the problems with soccer stem from the game being run by an organisation, (FIFA), whose aims don't mesh with the core supporter in Europe that provides the sport's income. VAR has been unpopular from day 1 because it's doing what FIFA wants to be seen to be doing rather than meeting the consensus opinion of fans on any given decision. Fans want VAR to correct obvious errors. If it's not obvious then let the referee control the game. From its inception VAR has overruled the referee on decisions that are incredibly tight.

Yeah lotta fibers of uniforms being a pubic millimeter behind the defense and determining offsides calls that disallow goals. And in the moment the refs don’t seem like they’d ever call it back but then the call comes in and bam. Just seems like this had to have changed the game a lot, but I didn’t watch much soccer at all before the COVID lockdown so I don’t really know the before and after

**texhooper** · 03-04-23, 11:40 AM

Looks like Bournemouth has gotten away with two handballs in the box against Arsenal. I guess Man City is controlling VAR today

**lakerboy** · 03-04-23, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by texhooper

Looks like Bournemouth has gotten away with two handballs in the box against Arsenal. I guess Man City is controlling VAR today

City gets every break known to man unless it's in the champions league where karma gets it right.

**cashin81** · 03-04-23, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by texhooper

…were bad goals just counting left and right? Or do the officials know to handle things a certain way and let play resume because they know there’s a review system in place? Because VAR comes into play a ton and wipes out goals left and right, much more often than you’d think for a sport that’s been around for I believe last I checked it was seven hundred million years.

its because 10 years or so ago, if the striker was a little bit offside, it was still given as a goal. The attacker had the benefit here.
Now if your little finger is offside, its no goal. And obviously before, the human eye couldn't see if your finger or elbow is off.

I mean its not like every goal has a debate of offside.... maybe 15%?

**Iona** · 03-04-23, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by texhooper

Looks like Bournemouth has gotten away with two handballs in the box against Arsenal. I guess Man City is controlling VAR today

For me ,the handball in the box determination is administered inconsistently(especially in the SPFL). I have seen - many times - penalties awarded / denied with the same set of circumstances. At this point, it's become a joke.

Just me "2 cents".

**texhooper** · 03-04-23, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by cashin81

its because 10 years or so ago, if the striker was a little bit offside, it was still given as a goal. The attacker had the benefit here.
Now if your little finger is offside, its no goal. And obviously before, the human eye couldn't see if your finger or elbow is off.

I mean it’s not like every goal has a debate of offside.... maybe 15%?

That’s a pretty high percentage though, or maybe I should say that will affect quite a few games. I’d say VAR comes into play and reverses or initiates decisions/goals with 20% of games it’s available in maybe? Just an estimate based on my degeneracy. I’d like to say a third but that seems high. It’s quite a bit though.

I don’t really have a beef with it because I don’t know enough, which is why I started this thread. In my mind, my very American mind, I’m thinking “let’s get all the calls right.” But when it comes to soccer, and seeing it come into play as a deciding factor as much as it does, it seems like this has to be a radical change for the biggest sport in the world after so many years, and now we’re getting microscopic with what I thought we had decided was “the beautiful game”

**texhooper** · 03-04-23, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Iona

For me ,the handball in the box determination is administered inconsistently(especially in the SPFL). I have seen - many times - penalties awarded / denied with the same set of circumstances. At this point, it's become a joke.

Just me "2 cents".

This is kinda what I have seen too in my limited experience which is why I started the thread. Good feedback

**DrunkHorseplayer** · 03-04-23, 05:55 PM

Refereeing a soccer game is almost impossible; the size of the field makes it ridiculously difficult for older men and women, especially non-athletes, to keep up with the players. As far as VAR goes, if it's going to be implemented then it has to be used on every goal and not just "obviously incorrect" ones; better to have it than not.

**cashin81** · 03-05-23, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by texhooper

That’s a pretty high percentage though, or maybe I should say that will affect quite a few games. I’d say VAR comes into play and reverses or initiates decisions/goals with 20% of games it’s available in maybe? Just an estimate based on my degeneracy. I’d like to say a third but that seems high. It’s quite a bit though.

I don’t really have a beef with it because I don’t know enough, which is why I started this thread. In my mind, my very American mind, I’m thinking “let’s get all the calls right.” But when it comes to soccer, and seeing it come into play as a deciding factor as much as it does, it seems like this has to be a radical change for the biggest sport in the world after so many years, and now we’re getting microscopic with what I thought we had decided was “the beautiful game”

Probably like 5% was being generous. But the problem isnt necessary var, its that now specifically offside is so strict.

And, yes sometimes pens arent given, or given with little evidence. But before the ref could compeletly ignore a handball and claim he didnt see, or give a phantom pen.

Phantom pens still given tho lol

**flyingillini** · 03-05-23, 11:38 AM

VAR has costed me a ton of money

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 03:25 PM

Man City just benefited from the most bogus VAR review against Leipzig.

Followed it up with a goal and rout is on

**Darkside Magick** · 03-14-23, 03:27 PM

VAR is great

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by Darkside Magick

VAR is great

Haha I have City too so not complaining but man. Crazy that that was even reviewed

**Headsterx** · 03-14-23, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by texhooper

Haha I have City too so not complaining but man. Crazy that that was even reviewed

I'm a little confused, are you saying it was definitely a handball and didn't need to be reviewed?

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 03:46 PM

I’m saying it was a cheap ass call that shouldn’t have been reviewed. I’m in public amongst man city fans who didn’t notice it at the time and even after the review they know they got away with one

**Headsterx** · 03-14-23, 03:50 PM

I thought ref blew it as a handball but went to VAR to double check. Without VAR it would've been an automatic PK. That was my understanding. Though I'm working and watching it at the same time so might have mistaken it.

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by Headsterx

I thought ref blew it as a handball but went to VAR to double check. Without VAR it would've been an automatic PK. That was my understanding. Though I'm working and watching it at the same time so might have mistaken it.

Nah ref didn’t blow it as a handball. Play had already resumed going the other way and it got blown dead for the VAR review.

**Headsterx** · 03-14-23, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by texhooper

Nah ref didn’t blow it as a handball. Play had already resumed going the other way and it got blown dead for the VAR review.

Ah ok, thanks!

**Headsterx** · 03-14-23, 04:14 PM

But I guess it really doesn't matter... 4-0 and counting

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Headsterx

Ah ok, thanks!

At this point it doesn’t matter though haha…Man City has gotten the benefit of some beneficial stuff but man they are just dominating. Credit the Leipzig goalie though, he is working his ass off and getting zero help

**texhooper** · 03-14-23, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Headsterx

But I guess it really doesn't matter... 4-0 and counting

Yes exactly