RateTheRef

This is what I don't understand. The on-field referee Oliver awarded the Villa goal, he did not rule it out for an infringement. I thought VAR was to be used to correct a clear and obvious error. VAR then took over three and a half minutes to come to a conclusion and instruct Oliver to go to a monitor. I submit, even accepting that VAR was looking at multiple issues, that if it takes three and a half minutes it cannot have been an error that was 'clear and obvious'

There is a general drift here of refereeing matches by VAR, the immediate decisions of the on-field referee counting for less and less. It is completely changing the dynamic of match officiating and I deplore it.

I note there has been much discussion on RTR about VAR only being used in some matches in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. I don't always agree with Alan Shearer on matters but his comments last night saying that it should be at all or none I heartily endorse. Equality under the law is a foundational principle of justice. Having VAR at some matches and not others means that they are being adjudicated in quite different ways. it is unjust.