Bristol City Coach Advocates for VAR in Championship
Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber has expressed his belief that the Championship should implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to enhance fairness in the league.
The Robins experienced a controversial moment in their recent 1-0 defeat against Millwall, where a late equaliser was ruled out for offside, leading to a significant post-match altercation involving players and staff from both teams.
While VAR was introduced in the Premier League at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, its usage in the Championship has been limited to play-off finals since 2022.
Struber, speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, stated, "I am not a fan of VAR, but this situation illustrates that with VAR, decisions are often better and fairer. We should strive for more fairness, and the last match highlighted this clearly."
In addition to the Premier League, VAR is utilized across major European leagues, including the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, as well as in various domestic competitions in countries such as the Netherlands, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.
Struber emphasized that the high quality of play in the Championship warrants the introduction of VAR. He noted, "Dealing with the dynamic nature of the game is not always straightforward, and referees would benefit from having a clearer perspective under such pressure and atmosphere. The Championship is one of the most attractive and dynamic leagues in the world, and it deserves VAR. Many lower leagues in other countries have already adopted this technology, and numerous coaches are advocating for its implementation in the near future."
Bristol City will next face Leicester City at home on Wednesday, followed by an away match against league leaders Coventry on Saturday. The Foxes currently sit seven places below the Robins in 14th, with only two points separating the teams.
Struber remarked, "Leicester presents a different challenge altogether; they possess exceptional quality and excel in maintaining possession. With players like Jannick Vestergaard, who brings vast experience and skill on the ball, and their dynamic strikers, they pose a significant threat, even from the bench. We respect them greatly as a Premier League team, but we also have a strong roster and great energy. With a clear strategy, Wednesday night could be very interesting for us."