What's Worse - The VAR or The Refs?

The VAR is yet to impress but the referee's aren't any better. It seems each A-League match ends in controversy so the question is.... when is it going to end? And if so, when?

Enough is enough!

The refereeing has been appalling.

Do NOT even mention the VAR.

That’s right! I’m talking about the A-League.

What once was an enjoyment to watch and attend, has now become an absolute disgrace. Being an avid supporter of the A-League, since the early days, I can now say that I haven’t seen the competition in such disarray. The competition was much better before the introduction of the VAR and interim referees. It has now become less enjoyable and more like a punishment to sit down and try to watch a match. I am sick and tired of the incorrect decisions and “it’s not working” excuses being made by the VAR and amateur refs. Excuses like these cost teams vital points and even championships as the Newcastle Jets found out the hard way in the 2017/18 Grand Final against Melbourne Victory. And I’m not the only one to complain. My question is…. when is it going to end?

I have a suggestion!!

How about you get the experience referee’s, like Kris Griffiths-Jones, Peter Green, Jared Gillett, Chris Beath etc. away from behind the computer screen and onto the field so that we at least can witness a match that has some quality instead of watching these rookies who worry more about their looks than what’s actually happening on the field. Bring back Strebre Delovski!!

The refereeing is so appalling that in Round 15, Wellington Phoenix vs. Sydney FC, L.Fenton conceded a clever cut penalty but because the VAR monitor wasn’t “working”, the ref had to make a judgement on the big screen. Even with a huge viewing of the obvious handball made by Fenton, he still couldn’t make the correct decision. Later in the match, he awarded Phoenix a penalty that should have been a free-kick to FC for offside to S.Taylor and a yellow card for elbowing M.Zullo in the face. Taylor accidently tripped over Zullo’s feet but the Phoenix defender saw the opportunity to level the score so he took the dive. Milking the incident to his team’s advantage. A VAR check was not needed to see that the on field decision was obviously incorrect.

Enough is enough!

Another incident in Round 14, Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Adelaide United, has also got me fuming. There was a moment in the second half where an Adelaide player was standing in a clever offside position but the offside wasn’t called because the sideline ref wasn’t even in-line with the Wanderers defender. He was standing half way up the sideline having a chat with the corner post when the play was down at the halfway mark. This incident lead to the winning goal for United which resulted in another loss for the Wanderers ending in controversy.

This is getting beyond ridiculous. Instead of watching an A-League match, I feel like I’m watching Rugby League – the refs continuously having to check the video referee just so he saves his own back. What ever happened to the authenticity of making a decision there and then, in the moment, instead of having to wait 5+ minutes for a decision from a guy sitting behind a computer screen? Like come on.

In my opinion, get rid of the VAR therefore the FFA are saving money on something that’s useless which they can later use on other more important things like promoting the sport to younger generations, funding an expansion and player welfare and bring back the more professional referee’s so we can enjoy the game again and without hostility.

Enough is enough!

I'M BACK! It's been a long time since I've done one of these. It feels good to be back!

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Thank you!

Lucy xx