VAR Delays Cause Frustration Among Fans
Sunday's Premier League fixtures once again highlighted the ongoing frustrations surrounding video assistant referee (VAR) reviews. Fans endured prolonged periods of uncertainty, with players often standing idle for extended stretches—sometimes up to four minutes—while decisions were being reviewed.
Supporters at three separate matches experienced these lengthy delays, observing the clock tick away as 22 players waited on the pitch. Despite claims from Professional Match Game Officials (PMGO) that VAR reviews have become quicker over recent seasons, the accumulation of extended stoppages, particularly when multiple incidents occur on the same day, paints a different picture for those watching live.
"The problem is what it is doing to the games, to the spectacle, with the amount of time it takes to get there," Danny Murphy told . "To wait that long is frustrating for everyone watching the game and I think everyone who loves football, generally, feels the frustration. But what can we do?"
Debate Over Implementing a Time Limit on VAR
In response to these delays, the idea of imposing a strict time limit on VAR checks and reviews has been proposed repeatedly following days marked by protracted stoppages. However, understands that neither FIFA nor the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has seriously considered enforcing such a limit.
Questions remain about how a time restriction might function in practice. Would officials be allotted 30 seconds, one minute, or another duration to reach a decision? How would multiple incidents within the same review be handled—for example, a combination of handball and offside calls? Determining when the timer starts and stops presents additional challenges.
"I have always been of the opinion that I would take less right decisions and have the more traditional aspect of enjoying those moments," Murphy added.
This perspective underscores a key concern: introducing a time limit could increase the likelihood of errors, including missed interventions or incorrect changes to on-field decisions. The trade-off between saving time and risking greater controversy raises important considerations.
Moreover, the potential fallout from mistakes made due to time constraints could be significant, attracting intense media scrutiny and fan backlash.
Illustrative Examples Highlight Risks of Time Limits
Two notable incidents illustrate the complexities involved. In February 2023, during a match between Liverpool and Newcastle, Darwin Núñez scored a goal that was initially suspected to involve a handball. Early camera angles suggested contact with Núñez's right arm, which would have led to the goal being disallowed. However, after more than 40 seconds, an angle clearly showed the ball had struck Núñez's chest, validating the goal.
Had a 30-second time limit been in place, the goal might have been wrongly disallowed for a handball that did not occur.
Another example occurred last season when Liverpool's Diogo Jota was awarded a penalty against Wolves. Initial angles suggested Emmanuel Agbadou had fouled Jota, prompting the VAR team to prepare to confirm the penalty. Yet, after about a minute, a different angle revealed that Jota had initiated the contact, resulting in the penalty being overturned. Under a strict time limit, the penalty likely would have stood.
Coaches Emphasize Accuracy Over Speed
Fulham manager Marco Silva, who has expressed concerns about VAR decisions, prioritizes correct outcomes over rapid resolutions.
"I think the main thing from VAR is to correct things and to get it right," Silva said following Fulham's defeat at Manchester United on Sunday. "They are there to help, not to over-referee the game or to go in a different direction."
Psychological Pressure on VAR Officials
There is a common assumption that VAR decisions would remain consistent even if timed. However, Graham Scott, who retired as a VAR official at the end of last season, described the mental strain involved.
In August, Graham Scott described how "an imaginary clock starts ticking in your head and the sense of foreboding is palpable."
If such pressure exists without an actual timer, the introduction of a visible countdown could exacerbate stress and potentially impact decision quality.
PMGO Acknowledges Delays but Cites VAR's Complexity
While PGMO recognizes that some VAR reviews take excessive time, the inherent nature of video review means that longer delays cannot be entirely eliminated. Match Officials Mic'd Up footage reveals that many reviews require detailed discussion, and not all can be straightforward.
Instances of extended stoppages include a four-minute delay to disallow an Aston Villa goal against Brentford and a five-minute an...
