The English VAR and the ‘excuse me’

The image of the arbitration group in the United Kingdom has been badly damaged after failures to use technology in offsides Arsenal and Brighton.

It has not been the best week for arbitration in England, which has surfed a wave of cynicism. Two serious errors in the use of VAR (Video assistant referees) technology, due to the misuse of offsides, marred the final day Arsenalwho lost by two points, against Brentfordand also to Brightonwho was also denied another legal goal that would have given him, at Selhurst Park, victory over Crystal palace. The situation generated complaints and discontent among the clubs and an unusual climate of nervousness around the arbitration body, which, at least, expressed ‘excuse me’, apologizing to the affected clubs.

Due to the scale of the human failures of the referees in charge of the technological application, the head of English referees, Howard Webb, has the dignity to ask for a public apology on this occasion, after a damaging and disastrous weekend for the image of the English refereeing collective, which was criticized for a lack of preparation. Webb had to contact Brighton and Arsenal to acknowledge and explain the mistakes, which he described as “significant”. The English arbitral group at least did not lack ‘class’ and knew how to be.

The first defeat occurred in a 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brentford, played at the Emirates in London. VAR ruled out a clear offside for the Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, in the previous action of Ivan Toney’s equalizing goal. Also, the defender of Brighton Pervis Estupinán he was denied the first goal at Selhurst Park after being ruled for an offside that did not exist. VAR referee John Brooks was found to have made his decision based on a poorly drawn offside line, which allowed Brighton’s goal. The match ended in a draw, with the ‘seagulls’ losing two crucial points in their pursuit of a dream place in Europe.

Due to the importance of the results and their possible consequences in the championship, both cases center, again, the controversy on the use of technology, and on the human interpretation when using it, which, as denounced in England, has related to a little lack of preparation and referees who do not give a level. This time, replacing John Brooks as VAR, on Monday in the ‘derby’ of Merseyside, and this Wednesday’s match between Arsenal and Manchester City, has been a quick way to cover up the crisis. The only good thing about the conflict is that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and Howard Webb, as its apparent head, have admitted that there are cracks in the use of VAR, a gesture that expresses a commendable desire for self criticism. to open a new phase, with more and necessary strictness