Football Australia has announced a landmark move with the upcoming A-Leagues finals campaign to feature the use of live VAR to improve the fans’ experience of the decision making process.
The lack of explanation of decisions to fans in the ground has long been an issue with VAR. In an Asian Football Conference first, A-Leagues fans will hear the rationale behind decisions and the on-field referee declare their final decision.
The intention is to obviously remove that awful feeling that often occurs when fans are oblivious to the basis on which a goal or off-side decision has been reversed; as they furiously gesticulate based on no evidence other than what they see on the big screen.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Sure, there are moments where a little explanation might indeed calm down a few football folk prone to getting a little fired up in the bleachers, yet is this additional emphasis on technology so hated by many in the game, set to be a beneficial move from the powers at be?
It comes off the back of the Swedish Football Association’s desire to remain the only nation in the top 30 European leagues to yet implement VAR.
In typically thoughtful Scandinavian-style, domestic fans expressed their detest at its potential involvement and a vast majority of the clubs have now heard the sentiment and voted not to bow to international pressure and norms.
If you were wondering just how firm the Swedish fans are on their stance, the words of a leading figure within one of the country’s biggest supporter organisations provide the answer, “VAR is a symbol of modern, commercialised-to-the-point-of-destruction football,” says Ola Thews, vice-chairman of ASK.
Whilst many Australians feel precisely the same way. It appears Football Australia is heading firmly down a different path, a trend across many issues that continually frustrates domestic fans.
No matter how big or small the voice is when it comes to expressing a dislike for VAR, the governing body powers ahead amidst weekly disasters and embarrassing blunders around which they must then pick up the pieces.
Referees will always make mistakes, yet when Football Australia is rescinding red cards based on a decision made by VAR, the true farce that lies before us is clear.
Former SBS journalist Philip Micallef knows more about football than the collective intelligence of the people at Football Australia, as does former football writer at The Australian newspaper and one of the most respected voices in the game Ray Gatt.
Both are astounded at what football has been allowed to become; one full of muted celebrations and reversed decisions that take much of the natural and instinctive beauty away from a game that relies heavily on those few and brilliant moments.
Other sports use technology, knowing that there is likely another score or moment right around the corner. Heaven forbid, there are 540 balls in a day of Test cricket, north of 20 goals scored in most AFL matches and tries galore in high scoring modern day rugby and rugby league games.
There is always something to cheer and something else to get excited about in a moment or two’s time.
Football is different and now, after suffering through wasted time, poor decisions and a more sterile game after the introduction of VAR in 2016/17, a further layer will be added to something most A-League fans want to do without.
Of course, the Football Australia spin will be considerable and already has been.
“It’s exciting to be able to introduce this technology with Football Australia in time for the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Finals Series to bring fans closer to the game we all love, whether they are in the stadium or watching from home”, said A-League Commissioner Nick Garcia.
Aside from the fact that no changes should be made leading into the most crucial month of the season, I’d argue that Garcia’s comment is in fact the antithesis of the reality, with fans instead being potentially pushed away from the game rather than drawn towards it.
But that is what our beloved Football Australia does and I’d love to know exactly who the real winners are out of such a decision.
The one thing I can guarantee is that it will not be the A-League fans, whatever the suits might say.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
NBN (Win/9) said last night an announcement of the new owners is expected within days
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
The top shelf CBs come at a premium too. It’s going to be difficult rebuild for RZ. I really like him as a manager and hope he can get the Roar boys firing next season.
Leon
Roar Rookie
CBs? That’s a hard one Harry. Roar’s toughest challenge I’d say. The pairing of young and older at Wellington has worked. Experience like a Scott Wootton alongside a younger player like a Finn Surman is the model I would go with. But I don’t see that happening any time soon. Despite the trend these days to demand defenders that are good on the ball, I am a bit old fashioned, and prioritise their main job of defending. I think it was Brian Clough who said: priority one. You’ve got to be able to head the ball. A fit Scott Neville with the younger Nikolovski might work, but there’s a shadow over SN with his injury and age unfortunately. And two additions are needed. Someone like Tomi Uskok at 1.96m might be a useful addition. We could do a whole post on this topic. Does Brian Kaltak have a brother?
338
Roar Rookie
Well done CCM. Great effort to win the Premiership. Congratulations to Wellington as well for such a tightly fought race this season. Finals here we come!!
Beach
Roar Rookie
VAR is about preventing match fixing, folks. Remember that referee in Germany who was jailed for match fixing? Surest way to fix a match is the match officials. VAR is here to stay.
Leon
Roar Rookie
I think Taggart is contracted beyond this season to Perth. Remarkable effort by Taggart considering the position of the team. Unfortunately for Roar, they are having to compete with the new franchise for players in addition to any normal off season changes. Plus when it comes to a striker, I guess Melbourne City would be higher up the pecking order than Roar. As for defenders, looking at the players Roar had on paper, they were not that bad. Unfortunately the game is played on grass, and Roar who conceded 33 in the previous season, with much the same players, conceded 55 last season. Whilst the turmoil and injuries did not help, questions need to be asked of the club, including RZ, about their tactics and approach. Although one thing I notice is that the worst defence in 2023 was Macarthur at 48. This past season, seven teams conceded 47 or more. Perth as many as 69. Any reason for that do you think?
coolncold
Roar Rookie
That means: Pointing the the centre and ssy "goal". or Pointing to the point and say "offside". or Pointing to a person and say "yellow card waived, upgrade to red card". etc... etc.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
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TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
no chance of that, given hes on $16k + performance bonuses a week tags has probably got 1 last big contract left in his career, especially after this season's performances. i would not be surprised to see him somewhere in asia again, if he can get out of this last year of the perth contract. perth wont make the 6 next season, nows the time for him to move on
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
will be an interesting off season with brissy, adelaide and perth requiring almost all new back 4s/3s and chasing alot of the same players do you go to perth to earn the biggest pay day? brissy where you could be the cornerstone of a rebuild? or adelaide who are only a few players away from being title challengers again?
338
Roar Rookie
#Taggarttobrisbane.
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Roar definitely need that cleanout more so than most clubs. Too many 30+ year-olds in the squad for my liking... Aldred, Hingert, O'Shea, Neville, Berenguer, etc. I actually think a Zawada signing would fare well for the Roar. Provide Waddingham guidance, and perhaps even play as a pair in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation. Any CB's on your mind you would sign?
Leon
Roar Rookie
Thanks Harry Since posting I had heard that India is the most likely destination, but the door is still open to an A League club. At Roar this is the first off season for RZ, Zac and Kaz, and I would expect most Roar fans will be expecting improvements. So far the announcements do not suggest the clean out many were hoping for, though admittedly the information is at a trickle. For mine, defence still has to be the priority, whilst a Mclaren, Ibusuki or Zawada or other proven attacker would be nice. I would still prefer another season with Waddington leading the line, and a much improved defence, than a star striker and more of the same defensively.
NickA
Roar Rookie
I heard via Simon Hill's radio show last night - that we won't hear the rationale behind decisions, but only the actual decision made? If that's true, what a waste of time that will be.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I wonder if thats what Shaun Evans said when he watching Leckie kicking Miller on the replay.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The A-league commentators seem to be able to justify anything in the commentary box, and alternatively complaining bitterly when its the right decision, nothing is going to stop the strange decisions in the A-league, we already know what the dodgy explanations will be from McBreen and Simon Hill. VAR has enabled them to do more strange decisions than less. The reason VAR needs to go is the cost 1.5 million and it could be more your paying for an extra referee to go to games it increases the ref costs by 25%, they dont have it in the W-league and no complaints about the refereeing in the W-league semi finals.
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
The latest link is that Maclaren will move to Mumbai City in the ISL. Similar to Cummings - a huge cash in for his family if he goes.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I want some news on the Jets - it sounds promising, but I want an announcement. Victory already have Turkish Airlines.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Victory are the biggest club in the league. They'll get a new sponsor and move on. Meanwhile, my Jets...........
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I thought JM was heading to Auckland?