VAR: What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
The whole VAR thing is just ridiculous. A bid to make the game more streamlined, fair and perfect has done the total opposite.Gone are the days where you used to walk away from a game thinking ref had a nightmare there, but unless it was a huge deal e.g. Gale v Forest, Hurst 1966, Gazza in cup final etc. they were largely forgotten. Moreover, football is a game of human error/genius after all.
Now every weekend brings up two or three incidents of controversy. Amazingly, the perfection sought is not there. It's further away than ever. Only, it sucks the joy and emotion away. Infuriates more. Detracts from the beautiful game so much, it drives people away.
Instead of soaking up an age where we are blessed with a plethora of talent, we argue and rage about the idiosyncrasies of a set of individuals in a Stockley Park portacabin.
The modern game is getting uglier and more distorted by the week. Teams (yes, I am looking at you Arsenal) manipulating the system. Causing chaos at set pieces knowing that VAR will try and find something to benefit them knowing 'keepers are better protected than White Rhinos.
That the Gooners are somehow top of the fair play league is quite possibly the biggest joke of the century. Niggly, spiteful, feigning injury, arrogant, referee baiting and employing tactical fouls is now a symbol of integrity.
They are just a modern day Wimbledon, wthout the charm, hint of admiration for punching above their weight or any redeeming quality. They have always been detested since bribing their way into the football league, but Mikael Arteta has created an even more despised version.
With the game’s biggest spectacle, the FIFA World Cup looming, we are faced not with a spectacular festival of football. Instead we are looking at a bloated, technology-dependant circus.
VAR has not improved the standard of officiating. It has created a breed of indecisive, ponderous cowards. Frightened of a making a decision, as they know technology offers them a lifeline to cover up incompetence.
Anyone who remembers the joy of watching Spain 1982 will look at this year's tournament and shed a tear. Technical innovation isn't bettering things. It's football suicide.
Well done to football's governing bodies. You've taken something once beautiful, once adored for its imperfections and turned it into a mechanised weapon of soullessness.
* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.
