Thread by @thehoff102

Of course when @WatfordFC were 2 0 up against @Everton should not have conceded two goals in four minutes by non-marking of Mina, but yet again #VAR had a role to play, this time through its non-use.

Mina clearly handballed for the goal which made it 2-1 and changed the game./1

I remember a table at the beginning of January 2020 showed based on the poor use or non use of #VAR against @WatfordFC we would have been 11th.

That sadly does not surprise me as I can think off the top of my head a few games where abject use of VAR has let down @WatfordFC. /2

a) @NUFC V @WatfordFC 1-1. @NUFC goal to make 1-1 should not have counted as in build up there was a clear hand ball, yet #VAR was not used to look in to it. /3

b) @SpursOfficial v @WatfordFC 1-1.
A clear penalty not given and not even looked at by #VAR when @WatfordFC were 1-0 up. The @SpursOfficial fan had the good grace to admit it was a clear penalty and they would not have come back from 2-0. /4

c) @SouthamptonFC 2 @WatfordFC 1. For @SouthamptonFC.

In the build up to @IngsDanny goal there was a clear handball, yet there was no handball check from #VAR. /5

d) @WatfordFC 2 @Everton 3.

As mentioned clear handball from Mina crucial to making it 2-1 and changing face of game. #VAR was not used.

By contrast #VAR was twice used to check for red cards for @LucasDigne & Roberto Pereyra, when they were not even worth a yellow. /6

Now I hear you say #VAR decisions or non-decisions balance itself out, so off the top of my head I have thought of where #VAR clearly benefited us.

I can think of one.

@WatfordFC 1 @ChelseaFC 2

@WatfordFC were given a penalty when 2-0 down which clearly was not. Still lost./7

Refs can muck it up in case of whether to give second yellow or not you cannot use #VAR.

@astonvilla 2 @WatfordFC 1

@OfficialTM_3 is booked for a handball. Exactly the same handball five mins later. No second yellow.

@OfficialTM_3 scores off backside with last kick of game./8

Now I'm not necessarily anti #VAR, but it clear how it is being used is seriously flawed. Here are some ideas for #VAR improvements.

a) You see what ref sees on #VAR decisions if watch on TV. Fan sees nothing. Change this, so fans do not feel shut out. /9

b) You have the pitch side monitors, it's time for referees to use it, like they did in World Cup when #VAR first used and is used in @ChampionsLeague. I've only seen it once used in England in @EmiratesFACup.

This would lead to improved decision making. /10

c) One of the biggest issues I've seen when #VAR is used when watching @WatfordFC live is how long the process of #VAR takes when used.

At most it should be 45 seconds. /11

d) In cricket when #DRS is hsed the benefit of the doubt is given to the batter and unless it's a clear and obvious error you go with the umpire's decision.

With #VAR in football it should go with the referee's on field decision, unless clear and obvious mistake. /12

e) In rules of football it says for a player to be offside, whole body has to past other player.

Given that #VAR should not be stopping goals when arm, leg etc is offside as happened in @NorwichCityFC V @SpursOfficial match when Pukki goal to make it 2 0 was ruled offside. /13

IThe problem with #VAR is not that it exists but how it is used, how the #VAR process communicates with fans, how long it takes and how referees use it. /14

Also need consistency across board in #VAR use.

Given outside of @premierleague clubs do not have use of #VAR, it should not be used in @EmiratesFACup or @Carabao_Cup. We have an inconsistent situation where #VAR used involving @premierleague teams at home but not in others. /15

For me its not the common refrain #FuckVAR, but a need to use #VAR properly.

If @premierleague & FA are not going to reform #VAR then do not use it.

I'm not looking at this wholly through @WatfordFC tinted glasses, even though @WatfordFC have been dealt a poor hand by it. /16

Seeing @EnglandRugby V @FranceRugby use of #VAR. You see it on large screen in ground and hear referee Nigel Owen communicate with #VAR officials when making #VAR decision.

He then explains to @owen_faz @EnglandRugby captain how decision made.

Football should do this./17

In @EnglandRugby V @FranceRugby match they stop clock when using #VAR.

The fear is if used in football it would ruin flow, but this happens at present with time wasting.

Stop clocks with #VAR and with actual injuries and have final phase like in Rugby not injury time. /18

In @EnglandRugby V @FranceRugby #VAR officials in the ground behind glass screen, where supporters can't enter.

Much better than situation, where those @premierleague referees make #VAR decisions from some office miles away.

@premierleague could learn from rugby here. /19

There's a reluctance to learn from other sports who use forms of #VAR by @premierleague.

Given rugby, tennis and cricket have used forms of #VAR longer than @premierleague and have been constantly improving use of #VAR in these sports, @premierleague could learn from them. /20

On time flow point on point 18 have concussion subs and leave decisions on concussion to independent doctors like in cricket and in rugby. During this time clock should also be stopped. /21

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