The head of A-League believes the VAR system is working appropriately but wants more full-time referees to keep pace with the sport.
“The VAR has been rolled out worldwide so it’s not going anywhere,” A-League head Greg O’Rourke told SEN radio on Monday.
VAR controversies have dominated the wash-up of the A-League’s opening round.
O’Rourke acknowledged the “system failed” in last season’s grand final when the only goal of the match, scored by Melbourne Victory’s Kosta Barbarouses against Newcastle, came when technology failed to identify an offside in the build-up.
“But the system now is working as designed,” O’Rourke said.
“If you take the Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar game, there were three interventions by the VAR, all three of those were for offside, all three of those were correct.
“But they still get caught up in this conversation about VAR intervention.
“In the Melbourne derby, that was not VAR’s intervention, that was the referee making the mistake.”
A contentious penalty was awarded to Melbourne City in its 2-1 win against Victory when the referee sought video assistance to determine whether a foul had been committed in the box.
But O’Rourke said rather than focus on VAR, there was a need to find funding for more full-time referees in the A-League to consistently get calls correct.
“All our players train six days a week, one or two sessions a day,” he said.
“We have some referees that have full-time jobs, nine-to-five or longer, and then we’re asking them to back up on the weekend.
“If you’re asking for my solution, I think the question has to be do we need some more full-time referees to stick with the pace and with the focus that is required in full-time sport.”
Sydney FC stalwart Alex Wilkinson, a supporter of VAR, said players and the public needed more education on the system.
“The public as well are a little bit confused when it’s being used and how it’s being used,” Wilkinson told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
“So maybe the explanation needs to be a little bit broader in terms of going out to the public so they do understand when it can and can’t be used … it might help people understand it a little bit better.
“I still believe the VAR is a good thing.
“I think it’s there in big games and big moments to make sure there’s no errors and I guess they are still sort of tweaking how we use it.”
Waz
Roar Rookie
I know why you’d say that, and on one level I think it’s true. But then you get into the different expectations and experiences of the various clubs/coaches and I think that all falls apart. The thing is going untold damage to the sport and someone (Ben Wilson and the FFA) needs to fix it pretty quickly.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
My want is that when the VAR is in action at the ground, announcements are made to inform the crowd as to what is being looked at / reviewed. When you are live at the game, it is like being in a vacuum - you hear nothing until you see the referee do his charade and signal for whatever decision he has made as a result of the review. It is easier at home as you receive commentary and there seems to be some connection. On Sunday, it was clear very few people at Suncorp had any idea on what was being reviewed in relation to the second half penalty for Brisbane. I'm sure that "offside" was the last thing anyone was considering.
mattq
Roar Rookie
i don't see how VAR is any more disruptive than play acting. If anything it's probably less disruptive because the ref has already stopped the game after a goal so all that is being delayed is the kick off.
Griffo
Roar Guru
The original premise (and resistance) to technology in the game was it's disruption to the flow of the game. Also the subjective nature of some aspects of the game. This is why the likes of Hawkeye works: it's quick and it's a yes/no. I think VAR could work for some decisions where it is a yes/no, such as offside, which can have a technical solution. Currently the many minutes of diliberation over fine margins and ifs/buts on contact and intentional fouling is disrupting the flow of the game. This plus the use of some of the techniques of replaying the situation in isolation of the flow of the game is loosing context of the question over the decision. I think VAR can work, just not how it is currently being used within the confines of the four criteria.
Nemesis
Guest
I'm not so sure. I think clubs & coaches are happier with VAR than without.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Just more evidence why O’Rourke won’t be head of an independent A League come next year. He’s so out of touch. The only thing left for him to do now is suggest playing music during VAR delays.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I don't disagree, a bit of tension on a decision is not bad thing, but it needs to come within 90 seconds or so, and you can't have such howlers after reviewing the evidence.
mattq
Roar Rookie
i'm obviously in the minority. I like it and think it adds a bit of extra fun. They just need to get it right like at the world cup.
At work
Roar Rookie
Completely agree Kangas, the fans don’t care what you think about VAR O’Rourke, all we know is that there’s just as much if not more controversy being created because of VAR. It’s not fixing anything. It’s ruining the spectacle and enjoyment for fans of the sport.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Keep persisting with the var and see more spectators disappear. It’s killing momentum and enjoyment of the game . The Ffa are so clueless, listening to the fans is not a strength of the people in charge .