Should we blame the sophisticated, billion-pound technology for a line being inaccurate, or the human deciding where to place said line?
Should we blame the state of the art, trailblazing technology for getting the penalty decision wrong, or the human who decides a hand in the air doesn’t qualify as a natural position?
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JUNE 27: Match Referee, Sergei Karasev is seen reviewing the VAR monitor before changing a yellow card to a red card for Matthijs de Ligt of Netherlands during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Netherlands and Czech Republic at Puskas Arena on June 27, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Balogh – Pool/Getty Images)
Should we blame the game-changing, revolutionary technology for a goal being given offside, or the buffoon who simply didn’t bother to check?
For years, football fans begged for goal line technology and video assistance to help referees get the big decisions right, yet with the best tools known to humanity readily available, those in charge consistently mess up.
Our experts at Paddy Power News have looked at major moments in Premier League history that VAR would have mucked up had it been around at the time, and the impact it could have had on the beautiful game.
Di Canio pushes referee
Hot headed Italian Paulo Di Canio pushes the referee over after being sent off, however after a record breaking 35-minute VAR review, the decision is rescinded, and they decide to show Nigel Winterburn a red card instead. Di Canio scores a hattrick, leading Sheffield Wednesday to a European place and FA Cup glory.
Beckham from the halfway line
VAR rules out the wonder strike due to a foul by Ronny Johnsen in the build-up to the goal. Becks loses his place in the United side to Karel Poborsky and goes back on loan at Preston, spending his career moving from club to club around the Football League. Posh Spice ends up marrying Robbie Savage.
Klinsmann shown red card
Jurgen Klinsmann scores against Sheffield Wednesday on his Spurs debut but VAR sends him and four of his teammates off moments later for diving. The game is abandoned. Klinsmann leaves English football a month later.
German footballer Jürgen Klinsmann holds up a Tottenham Hotspur scarf after signing with the club, 4th August 1994. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
Cantona kung-fu kick
VAR deems the kick as unintentional and Cantona serves a two-game ban instead of nine months. United pip Blackburn to the title, leaving Alan Shearer no choice but to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s side that summer. He goes on to be the most decorated footballer in Premier League history winning the Premier League 15 seasons in a row, and still holds the record for scoring 106 goals in a single season.
And on the world stage… Zidane World Cup final
Cristophe Dugarry fouls a Brazilian defender in the box meaning Zidane’s header is ruled out by VAR. Brazil win the World Cup final 1-0 and an entire generation of French players fail to make their mark on the world – including Thierry Handballry.
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 100% nonsense, but you knew that already… didn’t you?
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