It is the top flight umpire who has been criticized by more than a struggling Premier League player. Most decisions are under scrutiny. The time it takes to make a decision is often at the heart of the complaint, and incorrect decisions steal headlines after the headline. However, it’s not just the fans who are making the Var lights up.
Graham Scott: Val “can’t do it at all”
The introduction of VAR was to deprive the controversy in certain decisions. Diving was eradicated, offsides were undeniable, and most headlines were ultimately able to focus on football. But six years later, the video assistant judge has done nothing of these things. In fact, what it did is to increase the noise surrounding the judge’s decision.
Fans often let their opinions go, and so do Premier League managers. Burnley manager Scott Parker spoke to reporters about his frustration after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in a match where Clarett scored a small choke goal.
“That’s how the game progresses. It will be the most barren game out there. We are probably a few months or a year away from not celebrating our goals.
“I stand on the touchline, score a goal, go through your mind and feel it’s a checklist. Was it offside? Did he step in two minutes ago?
But managers and fans aren’t the only ones who are critical of technology. The former judge and Val’s official Scott recently told Talksport: “I have no control over anything from the field and now the noise is insane. It’s barely able to withstand and a very challenging role. On top of that, I’m trying to convey in my work, so I can’t be overjoyed at all to layer it being a VAR.”
The former judge never refrained from continuing, and even made clear when he felt sorry for him after the decision against Alexis Mac Alistair.
Scott reveals devastation over Mac Allister’s decision
Going on, Scott reveals that he felt devastated after excluding Mac Allister’s incredible goals for Leicester City. The Brighton midfielder of the time hit a unstoppable strike at home only to have Val intervened and dominate a small offside goal against Enoch Mwep.
Speaking about the decision, Scott told Talksport: “He probably got the best strike from outside the box I’ve ever seen and you just got your head. I think, ‘I’m going to have to choke this now.’
“And you draw these little lines and think, ‘This is going to end badly, I can say.’ And you’re really sorry, but I have to reject this goal of everyone being loved and the crowd being angry.
In a rare insight into the life of a judge, Scott reveals his struggle to be a VAR official and shares similar frustration with Premier League fans.