This is mostly hyperbole and not to be taken super seriously, nor am I really saying these would/should fix things - but certainly some ideas need implementing. Especially, points 1 and 2, they seem like easy wins.
- Introduce automated offside (3D model graphic, as seen at WC). No more late flagging, no more indecision, no more opinions.
- Automated, out of bounds, ball detection. There’s absolutely technology out there, that could do this. Maybe this is more complicated than I think, love to hear why, if so?
- Remove the on pitch/screen review, give the final decision to VAR officials. They have all the angles and way more time to review, than the on pitch ref. they would most likely make better decisions without the pressure of players or crowds/fans around them.
- VAR replays can only be slowed down for potential handballs. Challenges should only shown in real time, with multi-angles and closeups, which is enough.
- VAR to intervene/review second yellow offenses (if off the ball), as if they were straight red cards. As both result in a sending off and could considerably impact a game.
Honourable mentions:
- Referees to get free monthly eye-tests from Specsavers.
- Remove VAR completely.
- Remove the on-field ref so players can’t argue with any decision. Imagine this, lol!
- Timed VAR decisions, 2 minute cap - if not decided in 2 mins, it’s not a clear and obvious error is it?
- Teams can only call for VAR review’s 3 times per game. Can only be initiated by the on field Captain.
Anyone else got some suggestions? Just a reminder this is just in the context of the PL. Not Europe or international tournaments.
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Let’s move off of var random reviews and instead give managers of each team 2 review opportunities they get to instantiate . They have to say exactly what they want reviewed as well so no second random thing is called beyond the scope and intent of the review. Leave rest to the on field referee.
I am sick of arbitrary reviews that make the games unwatchable and joyless since you always worry each goal might not stand. My favorite sport is dramatically losing its best moments. New generation of fans won’t know what they lost.
I really don’t get why people complain about fouls being slowed down. It makes it easier for the officials to see what happened, where were any points of contact and what part of the foot was used. Without this they would have to guess and just make even more errors. It’s not like it changes what happened it just gives them a better view and that’s all.
“It always looks worse in slow motion” - irrelevant. It’s the same challenge regardless it’s just a more informed opinion with all the facts when viewed slowed.
I can’t disagree because what you’ve said makes complete sense and 99% of the time, it does help give a clearer picture of what’s gone on. So maybe we’ll take that one out of the list.
Refs do need to understand the context of play though. The red against United last night - simply wasn’t a red, maybe yellow, if that…
Reds should be reserved for serious foul play, I’m sorry but what Rashford did was not serious, nor foul play in my opinion.
Automated offsides and out of bounds sounds good. Biggest gripe is with VAR penalty reviews (non red card). Context must be considered. A player at the very top edge of the box moving in an outward should not be given a pen for slight contact (Talking about recent pens called against wolves). A player at the very edge of the box accidentally letting the ball hit his elbow because he missed timed his header should not result in a pen (United vs Copenhagen). If both violations occurred next to the goal that would be a different story.
Hot take here: in addition to VAR and the above measures, having more officials. Taking this from the NFL where officiating is not the best but there is no crowding of the refs and the officials are looking at plays not involving the ball. This includes:
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having both linesmen on both halves
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having officials along the goal line to detect fouls/hand balls in the box and specifically to see who the call came off of so that the correct call of goal kick or corner kick is more likely to be correct
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Possibly having a ref for one half of the field and one in the other half of the field in addition to the main ref for the entire pitch. That way if they see something off the ball they can alert the ref (VARs job I know but the whole Bruno Guimaraes elbowing Jorginho in the back of the head was also supposed to be caught).
Yes this might seem crowded but there are more eyes to spot off the ball incidents and seeing who the ball comes out of play off of.
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2 is a lot more complicated than you think. Just to implement the Hawk eye system which does ONLY the goal line detection is like 15 extra cameras in the stadiums all precisely pointed at specific areas to ensure they can always see the ball. That’s just the goals, to get coverage on the ENTIRE out of bounds line would probably be something like 40 cameras. There was also a statistic back when they implemented the goal line cameras that it costs these teams like $100K each game to run the system, so increasing the number of cameras and also computing power to do the work would significantly increase that cost.
I disagree with point 3. Refs miles away at Stockley Park aren’t getting a feel for the game, and certain games have to be controlled differently otherwise it just turns to chaos. Allowing the on-field ref to make the final decision allows them to continue being consistent in how they’re applying subjective rules.
They should however, scrap the small screens and just have the fans and refs see the same images simultaneously using the large stadium screens. Using it like TMO would dramatically improve transparency.
My only problem with the screen is, you’ll see the VAR team cycle a bunch of images from multiple angles, zooming in etc.
Then, when the ref gets to the screen, they show them one or 2 clips and expect them to make the final call? All whilst the players and fans are rifling abuse at them - it’s just a recipe for bad decisions.
I don’t watch rugby so I’ll have to do some research on how TMO is applied. Thanks for the suggestion though, I’ll check it out now.
i dont see why the fourth official cant watch the var stuff in real time and talk with stockley park during the process. then when it comes down to decision time call the ref over and chat to him 1 on 1, with the potential to show the decision confirming/denying clip on the var screen once var and the 4th official have decided.
I would love it to be just like in rugby.
Only captains can discuss, anyone else gets some sort of penalty. Good ref-player-fans relationship based on respect and communication.
Mic’ed up refs.
VAR shown in a big screen.
Thats it. That does it for me. The first one protects the referee from pressure. The second one makes them accountable. The 3rd one helps everybody understand. Some minor mistakes cannot be avoided, but nothing scandalous. Nothing else you need imo.
The first one is already a thing in football this season. Hence why we’re seeing more yellows being given for dissent and asking for cards, it’ll take more than 10 games for the message to be drilled into players.
VAR is already shown on the big screen, just after the decision has been made so the crowd doesn’t influence the referees.
Referees should be mic’d up though, or at the very least the broadcast should hear it. The commentary team hears it, why can’t the viewers?
All of the above relies on competent referees however, which sadly we don’t have.