Whenever VAR has been used, it has always been the hot topic, usually for the wrong reasons. While VAR is supposed to help referees by rectifying “clear and obvious” errors, clamping down on diving and avoiding another Kieran Gibbs-Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fiasco, it has been producing more and more controversy instead of reducing it. It has been criticised for slowing the game down and raising more questions. Everyone has a view on it. And here’s another one from Everton legend Colin Harvey – but in 1990.
Nearly three decades ago, long before the introduction of and the furore over VAR, Everton’s then-manager Colin Harvey said football should introduce video-assisted refereeing to lessen controversy and criticism of referees.
In an article from the Liverpool Echo in March 1990, during the 1989/90 season, referees had been in the limelight for their contentious decision-making. In Everton’s case, there were a couple of incidents that season that were mentioned in the article that arguably unfairly went against the Blues that proved to be crucial in the outcome of the game.
In a League Cup tie against Nottingham Forest in November 1989, Neville Southall was penalised for time-wasting with seven minutes remaining. Everton players vehemently protested the decision but it fell on deaf ears and referee George Tyson awarded the free-kick and booked the goalkeeper. With the score at 0-0 and the free-kick placed in a dangerous position, Nigel Clough hit the ball to Lee Chapman in the six-yard box and Chapman converted, eventually knocking Everton out of the League Cup.
In the first of three FA Cup meetings between Everton and Oldham that season, Neville Southall was at the centre of controversy again. Everton were 2-0 up and near the hour mark, referee Tony Ward awarded a penalty to Oldham after Southall was adjudged to have fouled Roger Palmer. However, Neville Southall had his eye on Nick Henry, who had the ball, and as he dove to try and get the ball, his legs clattered into Palmer and the Oldham forward fell over. Oldham scored the penalty to make it 2-1 and then Palmer equalised. Oldham subsequently won the second replay 2-1 after extra time with Palmer scoring Oldham’s first goal.
Colin Harvey thought referees should be able to check an incident that could be pivotal to the outcome of the game by watching a replay of it on a monitor on the touchline, like in American football. He believed that a pause in the game would be worth the wait because the video would let the referee check whether he got it right or wrong or if they are unsure and it can allay referees’ fears of more condemnation.
He also said that referees had become more and more pressurised to make every decision the right one because of the rise of televised football, which allowed fans and pundits to voice their critical opinions of the referee by using the televised footage as evidence, such as replays of the incidents at different angles, while all referees had were their own eyes and very little time to make a decision.
I know that American football is all stop and start while our game tends to flow more, but if you are talking about something as vital as a penalty, then surely it’s worth a couple of moments’ delay to ensure that a referee’s decision is the right one. It would certainly help the official and end trial by television. As it is, refs give honest decisions based on what they see, only to find themselves pilloried later on.
Before the days of action replays, everyone tended to accept decisions without too much debate. It was one man’s view and it wasn’t open to public scrutiny. Now, all the First Division goals are usually seen on the box each week and we have regular “live” action on TV. It’s becoming increasingly important that every single decision a referee makes is the right one.
The Liverpool Echo reported that Harvey had accepted that if his idea was to happen, it would be the referee’s decision to check and they don’t have to if they don’t want to. So it would be difficult for the referee to escape criticism as there would be a good chance that they would be wrong not to check when they should have done.
While Colin Harvey empathised with the referees and believed VAR can ease pressure on their decision-making, Liverpudlian Football League referee Colin Trussell said it could ruin the flow of the game and diminish referees’ importance, credibility and relationship with players.
Our game doesn’t lend itself to that situation. Colin’s right when he says American football is all stop and start. It’s also very TV-orientated. English soccer is about continual flow. If a ref chose to consult the video evidence at a key moment, it might stop the flow of the game. And who would decide when to use it?
When a referee gives a decision, he believes it to be right at that moment in time. It’s unlikely any match official would want to reverse a decision because that might undermine his credibility. When he subsequently makes another decision in a game, the players might not trust his judgement. Loss of credibility inevitably leads to loss of control.
Trussell added the criticism of referees was unnecessary, particularly from television pundits, saying that the people who should judge the referees’ decisions should be referees.
We are experienced enough at the highest level to take into account the cameras and not be troubled by them. After 30 seconds, you have forgotten they are even there. It’s Reds vs Blues, or whatever. Teams don’t even come into it. But what gets us is that we are often castigated later on by so-called TV specialists.
When you listen to them, it’s clear that they haven’t got a clue about the laws. If they want to analyse a specific incident, why don’t they invite a referee on? Referees are part and parcel of the game. They make decisions honestly in a split second, but often find themselves cruelly criticised in front of millions of viewers by people who should know better.
Colin Harvey’s idea has become a reality. A lot of incorrect decisions have been corrected. But some VAR decisions were due to nitpicking. The recently updated handball rule hasn’t helped. But it looks like it’s something we have to get used to.