A-League braced for VAR controversies

The video technology to be implemented by the A-League is dividing opinion, with a warning that some offsides are too close to call.

A fan in England with a sign criticising the new VAR system which is also set to be used in the A-League

The video technology to be implemented by the A-League this season is already dividing opinion, with players split overs its use and one of the world’s most senior refereeing figures warning that some offsides are too close to be changed by VAR.

After it was revealed that A-League bosses have spent $150,000 on the HawkEye model used in the English Premier League to rule on offside margins of 2cm, players at the A-League launch on Tuesday were split over the way it would affect the game. The HawkEye model that generates a 3D line across the pitch has caused uproar in the EPL with players deemed offside by the width of their armpit, despite concerns over the accuracy of the system in such situations.

Critics have claimed a player such as Raheem Sterling could move around 13cm in the 1/50th of a second between frames on an HD video stream.

UEFA’s referees’ boss, Roberto Rosetti, said that a system akin to “umpire’s call” should operate in the Champions League in instances where the video referee felt an offside was too close to call.

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Rosetti acknowledged that in some instances it was impossible to be certain if a player was offside, in contrast with the EPL’s black and white stance. “In our guidelines, when the VAR sees a clear image that proves the player is offside, intervene,” Rosetti told The Mail on Sunday. “If it is too difficult to determine the offside position, it cannot intervene. We would prefer no intervention if not clear offside.”

A number of players, including Melbourne City captain Scott Jamieson, said offside calls should only be changed in instances where it was obvious an error had been made. “I’m of the opinion now that I’d rather human error,” he said. “The centimetre margins I’ve seen in the last few weeks (in the EPL) have been ridiculous.

“Unless it’s clear, I’d rather have a human mistake rather than splitting hairs over such a narrow margin. I don’t want it to turn into a robotic situation. But there won’t be any change unless the EPL or a World Cup has some real big controversies.”

But Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Pirmin Schwegler, used to VAR in the Bundesliga, said the most important element was to get the correct decision — though he warned that rulings had to speed up.

“I’m a fan of VAR,” he said. “In the beginning it took too much time, three or four minutes, it stopped the game. But it has improved, and the important thing is that the right decision is made.

The Daily Telegraph