In a Women’s Nations League showdown that left England captain Millie Bright and her team flabbergasted, the Netherlands clinched a 2-1 victory thanks to Renate Jansen’s 90th-minute goal. However, it wasn’t the scoreline that had everyone talking; it was the absence of the video assistant referee (VAR) that left Bright and her squad utterly bewildered.
Let’s rewind a bit. The Netherlands had previously secured European Championship glory in 2017, while England claimed the same title in 2022. But on this fateful day in Utrecht, the absence of VAR was the focal point of conversation.
The controversy arose when midfielder Danielle van de Donk seemed to be offside when Lieke Martens put the hosts ahead. Millie Bright minced no words in expressing her frustration, stating, “There is no consistency.”
The England captain continued, “It is always frustrating [to not have VAR]. I think we push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR, sometimes don’t, sometimes have goalline technology… By no means is that an excuse. We put ourselves in that position – not clearing the ball, not getting out of pressure. But yeah, they are the differences in games as well, and it is really unfortunate that these are still huge decisions that are incorrect. That’s where we as players have to keep speaking about it, we have to step up, we have to demand better and demand more. This is international football, and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing.”
To put this in context, England had triumphed over Scotland 2-1 in their first match of the Women’s Nations League tournament, but their opponents felt they should have had a penalty for a shove on striker Martha Thomas by Bright. Furthermore, England saw two goals disallowed for offside, again without VAR to confirm the decisions.
The use of VAR in the group stages of the competition is not mandatory and is at the discretion of each host. England boss Sarina Wiegman, returning to her home country, was not pleased, saying it was “frustrating” to see an “obvious” offside goal given in the defeat.
“I think the whole stadium thought it was offside,” she added. “When you talk about VAR, of course it would have taken away that goal. I think we need consistency in VAR. Either you have VAR or you don’t have VAR.”
As England vies for a chance to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games on behalf of Team GB, midfielder Georgia Stanway emphasized the importance of consistency: “We are competing to go to an Olympics here, yet things like that are the difference. There is not much you can say apart from there is still work to be done in the women’s game and for VAR to be at every single game.”
This loss marked only the third defeat for the Lionesses under manager Wiegman and leaves them third in their four-team Women’s Nations League group. The performance against Scotland had already raised eyebrows, and the lack of fluidity and intensity was evident once again.
Wiegman lamented the defeat, saying, “It was hard to take, especially because it was so unnecessary. We really gave it away in the last few minutes. That’s the most disappointing thing.”
In the end, the absence of VAR cast a shadow over the match, leaving both players and fans wondering if it’s time for greater consistency in the use of this technology in women’s football. Netherlands boss Andries Jonker summed it up well, “We knew England didn’t look that strong, and we were convinced that we should be able to play a good match. We think we can beat everybody in women’s football, but we have to be on top of our game.”
In a world where technology plays an increasingly significant role in sports, the absence of VAR can indeed leave both players and fans scratching their heads, as Millie Bright’s “mind-blowing” reaction aptly illustrates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about VAR Controversy
Why was Millie Bright so surprised by the absence of VAR in the England vs. Netherlands match?
Millie Bright, the England captain, expressed astonishment over the absence of VAR (video assistant referee) in the Women’s Nations League match against the Netherlands because the use of VAR has become a standard practice in modern football to ensure fair and accurate officiating. The controversy arose when a crucial goal by the Netherlands appeared to involve an offside position, which could have been rectified with the use of VAR. Bright and her team expected VAR to be in place to maintain consistency and fairness in the game, especially at the international level.
How did the absence of VAR impact the outcome of the match?
The absence of VAR had a significant impact on the outcome of the match between England and the Netherlands. In the game, there were contentious decisions, including a potential offside goal and two disallowed goals for England due to offside. These incidents could have been reviewed and clarified with VAR, but its absence meant that the referee’s decisions stood. As a result, the game ended in a 2-1 victory for the Netherlands, leaving England and their supporters frustrated about the lack of technology to ensure fair play.
Why did Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, find the absence of VAR frustrating?
Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, found the absence of VAR frustrating because she believed that an “obvious” offside goal had been allowed during the match. She expressed her frustration, stating that the entire stadium appeared to agree that it was offside. In her view, VAR would have rectified this decision, highlighting the need for consistency in the use of VAR technology in football. Wiegman’s frustration stemmed from the belief that the absence of VAR had a direct impact on the match’s outcome and the team’s chances in the Women’s Nations League.
How did the absence of VAR affect England’s chances of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games?
The absence of VAR in the Women’s Nations League match between England and the Netherlands had a broader impact on England’s chances of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games. To secure qualification on behalf of Team GB, England needed to perform well in this competition. However, the controversy and potential officiating errors resulting from the lack of VAR could potentially affect their overall performance and standings in the tournament. Midfielder Georgia Stanway emphasized that in such a high-stakes competition, consistency in officiating and the use of VAR were crucial factors in determining their chances of success.
How did the absence of VAR affect the players’ and fans’ perception of the match?
The absence of VAR cast a shadow over the match and left both players and fans questioning the consistency and fairness of officiating in women’s football. Players from both teams, as well as fans, were surprised and frustrated by the lack of technology that has become commonplace in top-level football. It raised concerns about the need for greater consistency in the use of VAR in women’s football to ensure fairness and accuracy in officiating. Ultimately, the absence of VAR became a focal point of discussion and left a lasting impact on how the match was perceived by those involved and those watching.
More about VAR Controversy
- England Women’s Football – Official website for the England women’s national football team.
- Netherlands Women’s Football – Official website for women’s football in the Netherlands.
- Women’s Nations League – UEFA’s official page for the Women’s Nations League.
- VAR (Video Assistant Referee) – Information on VAR and its implementation in football.
- Sarina Wiegman – Wikipedia page providing details about Sarina Wiegman, the England women’s national team manager.
- Georgia Stanway – Wikipedia page with information about Georgia Stanway, the England women’s national team midfielder.
1 comment
Millie Bright is sooo right! we need VAR everywhere, always! #Consistency