Video technology was hailed as the saviour of football, until the next day when it was a shambles. Maybe the change we really need is in the culture of blaming the referee.
The first goal ever awarded on the basis of review by the video assistant referee (VAR) was heralded as a truly historic moment and a triumph of modern technology. Leicester City were playing Fleetwood Town in an FA Cup third-round replay at the King Power Stadium when it happened.
Already leading 1-0, Riyad Mahrez threaded the ball through to Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored. The flag was raised on the far side and celebrations were cut short. An additional shrill peep of Jon Moss’s whistle followed and he raised his hand to his ear, proceeding to discuss the decision with video assistant referee Mike Jones, who was holed up in a London office around 100 miles away.
Following a 67-second delay, Moss signalled the shape of a TV screen and reversed the decision. Fleetwood now had to kick off from two goals behind. After the game, the club’s manager, Uwe Rösler, expressed his reservations about the system. “Some situations you can’t be 100 per cent on VAR – is the decision right or wrong?” he said. “My opinion is don’t complicate the game – it’s beautiful as it is. People try to make it different for some reason. I don’t like it, it interrupts the flow. Today we were on the wrong side but in general I don’t like it.”
Denne historien er fra March 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra March 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
