Frustrations and Controversies Surrounding VAR in Recent Matches
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed his frustration following another controversial goal conceded by his team.
On Saturday, Manchester United's Casemiro scored after what appeared to be a wrongly awarded corner, marking the second consecutive week that Dyche's side conceded from a similar situation. Notably, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was unable to intervene, as corner decisions are not currently subject to its review.
Assistant referee Akil Howson flagged for a corner despite Nicolo Savona's insistence that he had kept the ball in play. Just six days earlier, Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier had scored directly from a corner that should have been a goal kick.
Dyche commented, "Two in two weeks is farcical. There needs to be someone who can override this decision, as it directly leads to a goal." Previously, while managing Everton, Dyche had criticized the VAR system for its limitations, stating it "can't be refereeing every moment."
IFAB Rejects Calls to Review Corner Decisions
Coincidentally, the technical panels of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) met last week to discuss potential changes to VAR, with the issue of incorrect corners leading to goals on the agenda.
The Italian FA proposed that corner decisions should fall under VAR's jurisdiction, as they are typically factual rather than subjective. This change was seen as a likely adjustment since it would not require the referee to consult the pitchside monitor.
However, advisory panel members, which include former players, coaches, and referees, expressed mixed views, ultimately rejecting the proposal. They raised concerns that reviewing every corner could lead to significant delays in the game.
Additionally, implementing such a change would conflict with Law Five, which states that a referee cannot alter a restart decision once play has resumed. This means that once a corner is taken, the game must proceed.
While Dyche estimated that reviewing each corner would take about five seconds, the reality of VAR processes suggests that such reviews would likely take longer.
The panels did endorse the idea of reviewing second yellow cards, which occur less frequently, but even this suggestion has sparked controversy.
In July, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed his opposition to expanding VAR's powers, emphasizing that the current system is functioning adequately. The IFAB board comprises the four UK football associations and FIFA, with FIFA holding a majority vote.
"We don’t see a need to extend VAR's use," Bullingham stated. "Regular discussions are held regarding VAR's future, and we believe our current position is satisfactory."
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer sympathized with Dyche but, like Bullingham, argued against involving VAR in corner decisions. "I understand Sean's frustration, but I wouldn’t want VAR to complicate the game further. I encourage officials to make the right calls rather than guess," he remarked.
Critics argue that failing to review fundamental mistakes leading to goals undermines VAR's purpose. Concerns have been raised about the implications of reviewing corners, with questions about whether free-kicks or throw-ins would be next.
While the discussion may resurface in the future, it is clear that further deliberation is needed regarding the potential impact of reviewing corners before any changes are made.
Even if reviewing corners were an option, there is no guarantee that Casemiro's goal would have been disallowed, and any decision would likely take time to reach. With camera angles not always providing definitive proof, as Arsenal discovered against Newcastle two years ago, the challenges of VAR remain significant.
VAR Controversies Continue in Bournemouth Matches
Bournemouth's defense has faced significant challenges this season, compounded by the departures of Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez. However, defender Marcos Senesi has narrowly escaped two red card incidents this season.
Earlier, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel unanimously determined that Senesi should have been sent off for handling the ball as Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike was through on goal. Recently, the KMI Panel ruled, in a split 3-2 decision, that referee Jarred Gillett erred by not upgrading his decision to a red card for a foul on Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr.
Of the five instances where a referee has declined a VAR review in the past two seasons, two have been deemed incorrect. As a result, Senesi should have faced suspension for Bournemouth's home win against Wolves, their victory over Nottingham Forest, and their recent defeat to Manchester City.
West Ham's VAR Experience: Delays and Goals
Fans of West Ham United and Newcastle United experienced a lengthy wait for a penalty decision to be overturned during their match on Sunday.
It appeared evident that Malik Thiaw had touched the ball before making contact with Jarrod Bowen. This marks the second time Newcastle has benefited from a VAR review in recent weeks, following a similar scenario where Arsenal had a penalty canceled after Nick Pope touched the ball before colliding with Viktor Gyokeres.
There was a delay of three minutes and 11 seconds from the initial penalty award until the referee communicated his decision to overturn it, resulting in a total stoppage time of four minutes and 18 seconds.
However, West Ham fans had reason to celebrate, as five minutes were added at the end of the half, allowing Sven Botman to score an own goal just before the whistle. Although the penalty was rescinded, the added time enabled West Ham to find the back of the net.