VAR, AGAIN!!

The Jeremy Doku/Alexis Mac Allister incident, a game-changing moment, is a prime example of a situation where VAR's intervention is crucial. Upon replay, my initial thought was, "That's dangerous play; it could be a penalty". However, the typical VAR delay leaves us uncertain about the outcome. The excessive scrutiny of such incidents by referees and media often leaves us, the fans, in the dark about the proceedings and the rules. Handball, anyone?

After the game, hearing the reactions of both City and Liverpool fans was enlightening. It was surprising to hear some City fans acknowledge that it was a penalty. If there was any doubt, the fact that Manchester City's captain, Kyle Walker, praise referee Mike Oliver for not succumbing to the crowd's influence speaks volumes; City got away with one, it was a penalty!!

Analyzing this flash point reveals more VAR inconsistencies. It is claimed that Doku touching the ball first negated the impact of the follow-through on his opponent. Earlier in the season, a far less innocuous challenge by Curtis Jones earned him a red card when he slipped on the ball with his foot following through on the challenging player. Indeed, Doku should have seen a red along with a penalty award. In a previous Klopp-Guardiola clash in 2017, Sadio Mane was issued a straight red when trying to control a through ball with a raised foot; he collided with City's keeper. The referee made the decision instantly. Pre-VAR days!!

Overall, I advocate less VAR involvement. Who cares if a player's big toe was offside by a millimetre three or four passes back in a move?!! This is how Sunday's incident might have been handled with greater consistency:

1). Miked officials. It's time for the PGMOL to let the fans know how and why they arrive at decisions. On so many occasions, they appear to be making contradictory calls. I watch Six-Nations rugby, where the referees are miked to the TMO (television match official). Miking the official doesn't necessarily stop controversy, but at least the fan can understand the process and reasoning of the referees on and off the field.

2). Application of the laws. When VAR views an incident, shouldn't they look at what happens as they are on the pitch? Was Doku's raised boot dangerous play? There isn't a grey area here on this particular occurrence. The photograph above is not photoshopped!! It would be called promptly on any other area of the field. The recommendation should be for the onfield ref to go to the screen and make the final decision.

3). When the referee goes to the screen, what should his thought process be? Will he be satisfied with his decision? Unfortunately, going to the screen means the onfield decision will be overturned. It shouldn't be like that. The referee should be looking at the incident with the thought of whether I made the correct call. VAR may be telling him he made an incorrect call. For the viewer, things could be clearer.

4). Dispense with this "clear and obvious error" nonsense. VAR should not be a referee evaluation tool. One former EPL referee commenting on the Doku/Mac Allister clash said it was an "error" but not a "clear and obvious error." Can somebody explain that reasoning to me? I hate to say it, but referee mentality is ruining a tool that could help improve the game.

We move on. It was a great game, but sadly, a major incident was not handled correctly by VAR. Yet again!! It will continue to happen over the closing games of the season. The effects will be at both ends of the table. When will the PGMOL ever learn?

YNWA