Dave Berridge

VAR

We all love VAR....don’t we?

Conspiracy Theory?

VAR is an unnecessary evil which I firmly believe is heavily sponsored by TV broadcasters. Take a big game, say Manchester United v Liverpool. So you’ve 60,000 fans at the game plus a further 1m genuinely interested  loyal fans watching worldwide (don’t talk to me about the 659m Man U worldwide fan base as has been quoted – yeah, they’re all huddled around a tv in their replica shirts engrossed and passionate about the game eh).

Even with over a million supporters of two of our best supported clubs being televised, there’s still a far larger part of the TV viewing audience that are neutral. VAR adds to the event aspect of a game. If you’re watching a game on TV in a pub between two clubs that you don’t support VAR is quite interesting and a great talking point over a pint. However, if your at a game supporting your club it’s bloody awful. That’s the difference – it’s a spectacle, a talking point – it sells. 

So, the answer?

I don’t know. Apart from getting rid the whole fiasco that is VAR. Keep the goal line technology. I agree with that. But VAR is too clinical. It takes the passion out of the game.

The active fan goes to watch his team to maybe meet up with mates for a ore match pint, see family members that they only really see at matches, relax away from work etc etc, but what the fan really goes to watch his (or her) team for us that almost orgasmic moment when your club score an even half important goal.

VAR has taken that feeling away from the fans. It is an emotional thief. It wants locking up for crimes of passion and we should throw away the keys too.

Ok, we all love VAR don’t we? Here’s my take on it:

Conspiracy Theory?

VAR is an unnecessary evil which I firmly believe is heavily sponsored by TV broadcasters. Take a big game, say Manchester United v Liverpool. So you’ve 60,000 fans at the game plus a further 1m genuinely interested  loyal fans watching worldwide (don’t talk to me about the 659m Man U worldwide fan base that has been quoted – yeah, they’re all huddled around a tv in their replica shirts engrossed and passionate about the game eh).

Even with over a million supporters of two of our best supported clubs being televised, there’s still a far larger part of the TV viewing audience that are neutral. VAR adds to the event aspect of a game. If you’re watching a game on TV in a pub between two clubs that you don’t support VAR is quite interesting and a great talking point over a pint. However, if your at a game supporting your club it’s bloody awful. That’s the difference – it’s a spectacle, a talking point – it sells. 

The answer?

So, the answer? I don’t know. Apart from getting rid the whole fiasco that is VAR. Keep the goal line technology. I agree with that. But VAR is too clinical. It takes the passion out of the game.

The active fan goes to watch his team to maybe meet up with mates for a ore match pint, see family members that they only really see at matches, relax away from work etc etc, but what the fan really goes to watch his (or her) team for is that almost orgasmic moment when your club score an even half important goal.

VAR has taken that feeling away from the fans. It is an emotional thief. It wants locking up for crimes of passion and we should throw away the keys too.

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