Everton manager Sean Dyche has had his say on the VAR debate.
The adequacy and competency of current VAR systems and protocols is currently a hot topic in the Premier League. Everton boss Sean Dyche has now aired his views on the matter.
The conversation around VAR has been inflamed since Liverpool saw a Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham Hotspur incorrectly ruled out for being offside after a VAR review. The Reds went on to lose that match, after to being reduced to nine men, following two controversial red cards.
Audio of the VAR process around the Diaz strike has since been released by Sky Sports and the PGMOL. This audio confirms that an incorrect decision was reached due to confusion surrounding what the original on-field decision was. Ultimately, it came down to poor communication and incompetence.
Jurgen Klopp has since suggested that the fixture ought to be replayed. Dyche has been asked for his views on the matter.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, the Everton head coach came out in favour of VAR in principle, saying, “I’m a fan of it in the decision-making side of things because I think it’s important in terms of where the game is at now in terms of the business side of the spectacle.”
“It would be unfair for some decisions to go against teams if it cost them the ultimate price of possibly getting relegated or whatever that may be.”
However, he did acknowledge that in its present incarnation, VAR is a flawed system. Dyche continued, “the other side of me, as a fan, just a football fan, obviously I’m aware it slows the game down, it makes it feel different.”
“Sitting there in front of a screen gives you a different view and maybe they almost get too analytical about it, rather than going somewhat with an instinct over what they would normally on the grass without VAR.”
VAR currently a looming threat
Every club is likely to both benefit and be hurt by a questionable VAR call at some point this season. Most already have been, Everton included. As Dyche recalled, “a kind of nothing incident on a keeper led to a goal of ours being disallowed yet I was down at Forest watching them play Brentford, a player stays on his feet, tries to score a goal and gets nothing although it’s clearly a penalty.”
The truth is, the standard of refereeing and the consistency of VAR implementation in this country must be improved drastically and quickly. Failure to do so will negatively impact the global reputation of the competition.
What’s more, one poor decision could easily be hugely damaging for an undeserving club. Everton, for instance, could be relegated off the back of such an error. Dyche may well perform a u-turn on his VAR stance should that turn out to happen.
The only thing that is certain at this stage, is that at Goodison Park and beyond, the debate around VAR and refereeing standards is set to rage on for some time yet.
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