Darren Andrews Ozsports Radio Journalist. 2nd February 2026

Few innovations in modern sport have sparked as much debate as the Video Assistant Referee. Introduced with the promise of eliminating “clear and obvious errors,” VAR was meant to usher football into a new era of fairness. Instead, it has become one of the game’s most polarizing talking points — celebrated by some, resented by many, and questioned by almost everyone.

 

The Case for VAR: Accuracy Above All

Supporters of VAR argue that football is simply too fast, too high‑stakes, and too valuable to rely solely on the human eye. Key decisions — goals, penalties, red cards — can define seasons, careers, and club finances. VAR, in theory, provides:

• Greater accuracy in critical moments
• Protection for referees, who now have technological backup
• A deterrent to simulation, shirt‑pulling, and off‑the‑ball fouls
• Consistency across competitions, especially at elite levels

For many, the idea of not using available technology feels outdated. Other sports — cricket, rugby, tennis — have embraced video review with success. Why should football be any different?

The Case Against VAR: Killing the Soul of the Game?

But football isn’t just a sport; it’s emotion, chaos, and rhythm. Critics argue VAR disrupts all three.

1. The Long Wait

Fans in stadiums often stand frozen, unsure whether to celebrate or hold their breath. Goals are followed by awkward pauses, not pure joy.

2. Margins Too Fine

Offside decisions decided by a toe, a shoulder, or a pixel have left many questioning whether the spirit of the law has been lost.

3. Subjectivity Still Exists

Despite the technology, humans still interpret the footage. Two referees can watch the same replay and reach different conclusions — proving VAR hasn’t removed controversy, only changed its shape.

4. Transparency Issues

Unlike rugby or cricket, football fans rarely hear the referee’s reasoning. Decisions feel distant, mysterious, and sometimes arbitrary.

Has VAR Improved Football?

The answer depends on who you ask.

• Statistically, VAR has reduced major officiating errors.
• Emotionally, many fans feel more disconnected from the flow of the game.
• Culturally, VAR has shifted debates from “the ref missed it” to “the system is broken.”

Football’s global appeal has always been tied to its simplicity. VAR, for all its benefits, has complicated that simplicity.

Where To From Here?

Football authorities continue to tweak protocols — semi‑automated offside technology, quicker checks, clearer communication — but the tension remains. The sport is wrestling with a fundamental question:

Should football prioritise perfect accuracy, or preserve the human imperfections that make it so compelling?

Until that balance is found, VAR will remain the game’s most divisive teammate.