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Should VAR be used in football? Should VAR be used in football?
Yes. VAR is a net positive to the game Yes. VAR is a net positive to the game
No. VAR has made football worse No. VAR has made football worse
Yes, but something needs to change Yes, but something needs to change
VAR makes the game fairer VAR makes the game fairer
VAR will reduce cheating and fouling VAR will reduce cheating and fouling
VAR can create a more attacking game VAR can create a more attacking game
Normal referees make too many mistakes Normal referees make too many mistakes
Goal-line technology in football was a great success Goal-line technology in football was a great success
VAR should lead to less complaining VAR should lead to less complaining
Fans can no longer celebrate goals in the same way Fans can no longer celebrate goals in the same way
Mistakes are part of the game Mistakes are part of the game
VAR kills the passion of the game VAR kills the passion of the game
VAR takes too long VAR takes too long
Football is too free-flowing for VAR Football is too free-flowing for VAR
VAR can't review everything VAR can't review everything
VAR could be fixed if it allowed for the 'benefit of the doubt' VAR could be fixed if it allowed for the 'benefit of the doubt'
VAR is being deliberately sabotaged in England VAR is being deliberately sabotaged in England
Video review has been a success in other sports Video review has been a success in other sports
Debate Mini Map

Should VAR be used in football?
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No. VAR has made football worse

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VAR takes too long

VAR often needs to review a decision from several angles several times to be correct. This takes up a huge amount of time and gets in the way of the actual football to be played.
Carlos Salazr
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The Argument

Studies have shown that VAR has significantly slowed down the pace of football because of how long it takes to draw up the video playback and then deliberate on a final decision for the call. The momentum of the game shifts unnecessarily, and the time spent checking the VAR could be a major action point of the game. According to WIRED, "While most VAR calls only take a minute or so on the field, some decisions have taken longer and slowed the pace and rhythm of a fast-moving and momentum-driven sport...A study published last month by researchers at Spain’s University of Vigo found that using VAR slowed down first-half play in Italian and German professional soccer leagues."[1] VAR does not benefit football and the many subtleties in pace and speed the game possesses.

Counter arguments

The speed at which the game is played can be slightly sacrificed for the sake of the accurate call, and the same article cited in the argument says, "players adapted in the second half by committing few fouls."[1] Even the players can adapt to the new rule in order to benefit from the correct call. The positive effects of a new VAR system outweigh the minor inconvenience of a few more minutes added to the game's runtime. It could also allow a few minutes for the players to get some much-needed rest in end-of-game, high pressure situations. VAR should not be dismantled simply because of a few extra minutes.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Football is a pace-based, subtle game that can completely shift because of disruptions or distractions out of play. [P2] VAR significantly slows down the game and disrupts its flow in ways that could severely affect the outcome of the score. [P3] VAR should not be integrated into football because it slows down and disrupts the game.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] The benefits of getting a major call right with VAR vastly outweigh the minor inconvenience of waiting a few extra minutes each game. [Rejecting P3] VAR is important in football, and should not be dismantled.

References

  1. https://wired.com/story/video-review-is-changing-soccer-and-no-one-seems-to-want-it/
This page was last edited on Thursday, 1 Oct 2020 at 07:34 UTC

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