VAR: Ruining or Revolutionizing Football?

VAR: Ruining or Revolutionizing Football? A Hilarious Look at Its Impact on Players and Referees

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VAR, or as we like to call it, the “Video Assisted Ridiculousness,” is the new kid on the block in the world of football.

It’s like having a group of tech-savvy friends who sit around the TV and tell you what really happened on the pitch. 

Except, instead of friends, it’s a bunch of cameras and people with earpieces, and instead of telling you what really happened, they spend hours arguing about it. 

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VAR has become a staple of modern football, for better or for worse, and it’s not uncommon to see players and managers alike shaking their heads in disbelief at the decisions made with the help of VAR. 

So, let’s dive into the world of VAR and explore the hilarious impact it has had on football matches and referees.

The Impact of VAR on Football Matches

The introduction of VAR into football has had a significant impact on the game. It promised to bring improved accuracy in decision-making, but as with most things in life, it’s not always that simple.

On the one hand, VAR has reduced errors in awarding goals and penalties. This is undoubtedly a positive outcome for the game, but it comes at a cost. With more technology involved in the decision-making process, more penalties are being awarded, and the flow of the game is being disrupted.

Additionally, VAR has led to a decrease in the number of simulation and diving incidents. However, it’s also led to more players acting out for VAR decisions.

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It’s like the players have taken a page out of Hollywood’s book and are now auditioning for an Oscar every time they feel like they’ve been hard done-by.

Perhaps the most significant impact of VAR has been the increase in the time taken to complete matches. With the need for VAR reviews, the game is now being played at a slower pace, which has resulted in more time for players to argue with the referee. It’s like a never-ending episode of a daytime soap opera.

VAR has brought about both positive and negative changes to football matches. While improved accuracy is undoubtedly a good thing, the cost of more penalties, more players acting out, and more time-wasting can make the game frustrating to watch at times.

Let’s hope that as VAR technology evolves, we can find a way to balance the good with the not-so-good.

The Impact of VAR on Referees

The introduction of VAR into football has brought about a significant change in the role of referees. They used to be the sole decision-makers on the pitch, but now they are more like support for the VAR system.

This has led to more conversations and gestures towards the VAR booth, as the referees seek clarification on decisions.

While this might seem like a good thing, it’s also brought about increased pressure and scrutiny on referees. With more technology involved in the decision-making process, the referees are under more scrutiny than ever before.

This has led to some hilarious and sometimes questionable gestures and reactions from referees when decisions go to VAR. It’s like they’re performing for the cameras.

Despite the pressure and scrutiny, VAR has brought about improved accuracy in decision-making, except when they still get it wrong. It’s like the technology is only as good as the people operating it.

There have been some questionable decisions made even with VAR, and the referees have taken the heat for those decisions.

In conclusion, VAR has changed the role of referees in football matches. They are now more like support for the VAR system, and their decisions are subject to increased scrutiny and pressure.

While VAR has improved accuracy in decision-making, it’s not infallible, and referees still get it wrong sometimes. The funny gestures and reactions may be entertaining, but let’s hope that the pressure on referees doesn’t become too much to handle.

Criticisms of VAR

Despite its intentions to improve the accuracy of decision-making in football, VAR has been met with a fair share of criticisms. One of the most significant criticisms is the inconsistency in its application across different competitions and countries.

This has led to more confusion and frustration among players, coaches, and fans who are accustomed to different levels of VAR intervention. Sometimes it seems like VAR is a game of chance, where the same incident can result in different outcomes depending on who’s watching.


Complaints of increased stoppages and delays in matches are also widespread. With more technology involved in decision-making, it’s natural that more stoppages and delays occur, but this can lead to more time for players to complain and make jokes.

Players may use this extra time to argue with referees or try to influence the decisions made by the VAR officials. This can create an even more heated atmosphere on the pitch and take away from the flow of the game.

Another criticism of VAR is the negative impact it has had on the emotional and dramatic elements of the game. Football is a game that thrives on spontaneity and emotion.

Goals, saves, and tackles are all moments of pure instinct and celebration. However, with VAR, these moments are often put on hold for several minutes as decisions are reviewed.

This can lead to less spontaneous celebrations and more calculated reactions from players who are waiting for the official decision to come through. As a result, the emotional and dramatic elements of the game are somewhat diluted.

In conclusion, while VAR was introduced with good intentions, it has not been without its criticisms. The inconsistency in its application, increased stoppages and delays, and negative impact on the emotional and dramatic elements of the game have all been areas of concern. As football continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how VAR adapts and improves to address these criticisms.

Final Take…

The introduction of VAR in football matches has had a significant impact on the game, both on the field and off. While it has improved decision-making accuracy, there have been moments when it has not.

Additionally, it has led to a decrease in simulation and diving incidents but has also resulted in more players acting out for VAR decisions. Finally, the increased time taken to complete matches has given players more opportunities to argue with the referee.

On the referees’ side, the use of VAR has increased the pressure and scrutiny on them, leading to more funny gestures and reactions.

They are no longer just on-field decision-makers but are now more of a support system for the VAR booth, resulting in more conversations and gestures toward the booth.

Despite these positive impacts, criticisms of VAR remain, including inconsistency in its application across different competitions and countries, leading to confusion among fans and players.

There are also complaints of increased stoppages and delays in matches, giving players more time to complain and make jokes.


Additionally, some argue that VAR has had a negative impact on the emotional and dramatic elements of the game, resulting in less spontaneous celebrations and more calculated reactions.

In the end, while VAR has brought about significant changes in the game, there is still a need for humour and funny moments in football.

These moments add to the overall entertainment and enjoyment of the sport and should be encouraged, regardless of the use of VAR.

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