Refs deserve more respect amid explosive VAR audio fallout from Liverpool farce
The biggest thing to come out of VAR-gate was the sheer chaos.
The absolute mayhem, noise, talking and, ultimately, the miscommunication on the audio released by the referees’ body PGMOL. It was crazy. And it showed to me that Luis Diaz’s goal was not disallowed because of some huge corruption - but because of the madness around it.
If anything, it has highlighted just how difficult a referee’s job is and what a thankless task it is facing the VAR officials. And it begs the question: who would be a referee?
The release of the audio around Diaz’s disallowed goal was supposed to give some context and understanding about why it was flagged offside in Tottenham’s win over Liverpool. It has certainly done that but, for me, it has also given me a whole new take on just how tough it is to be an official.
If anything, it has made me respect the officials more rather than less. Yes, even after the biggest VAR own goal in Premier League history. There was so much noise, so many different people talking and so many mixed messages. They were talking over each other and no wonder they got it wrong.
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Here’s the final bit of the transcript which resulted in the wrong decision: Replay Operator: “I think it might be this angle better? Happy with this angle?” VAR: “Yep.” Replay Operator: “2D line on the boot?” VAR: “2D line on the boot.” Replay Operator: “Yep, okay.”
Simon Hooper took charge of Spurs v Liverpool (ASHLEY WESTERN/Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock)HAVE YOUR SAY! Can the referees be blamed for VAR blunders? Comment below.
VAR: “Check complete, check complete. That’s fine, perfect.” Linesman: “Playing.” Referee: “Cheers mate.” VAR: “Thanks mate.” Referee: “Well done boys, good process.”
Pick the bones out of that. The flag had gone up for offside on Diaz. Referee Simon Hooper was waiting for the check to confirm it was offside.
The VAR Darren England got his wires crossed. His assistant Dan Cook didn’t help much. It was down to Oli Kohout in the VAR control room to urge England to stop the game. All those officials and yet it took a tech wizard to spot the error.
That is not to belittle the officials but surely there has to be a bit more calm and time in that VAR control room. Let me people think, watch and then double check. It was way too chaotic for anyone to understand - until they got it wrong! Then it was plain for all to see that it was a howler.
But I also worry this week will also put off future refs from wanting to become officials. If this is how we treat them. To hang them out to dry and humiliate them. Liverpool were strong and determined to get a message out there. They had every right to do so. They will probably drive change to the VAR process with an extra layer of checks and also refs may not be allowed to go freelancing outside of UEFA and FIFA games in the future.
All good things. But surely that VAR room needs to be a bit calmer and we need to show a bit more respect towards referees and officials than some have done.
If anything, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp provided the example others need to follow. After the game, he didn’t kill the officials. He actually acted with dignity and understanding. A mistake had been made, no-one meant to do it. Lessons must be learnt. But let’s stop killing the refs and start showing them a bit more consideration.
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