Tottenham Hotspur’s head honcho, Ange Postecoglou, has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding a major revamp of the much-debated video assistant referee (VAR) system, claiming it’s not up to snuff for the beautiful game.
In a recent match against Liverpool, Spurs found themselves on the fortunate end of a controversial VAR decision. An incorrect offside call allowed Luis Diaz to slot one home for Liverpool. Despite the goal being initially disallowed, Tottenham went on to win the game 2-1, with an injury-time own goal sealing the deal.
When asked about his stance on VAR, Postecoglou didn’t mince words, stating, “I would, in its current form. I just don’t think that technology’s ready for our game.”
Postecoglou’s gripe with VAR seems to stem from the belief that it slows down the game and doesn’t quite fit the frenetic pace of football. He even drew a comparison with American football, where lengthy stoppages for reviews are the norm, saying, “It’s three and a half hours mate. Do you want to sit through three and a half hours of listening?”
He continued, “I just think with VAR at the moment, we think it’s going to eliminate [errors] and the more we use it, I think the worse it’s going to get. It was there for the clear and obvious error. It seems like everything now. Yellow cards, fouls, corners, everything’s getting scrutinized. It’s not our game. We’re not rugby, we don’t have those stoppages.”
Postecoglou’s preference leans towards goalline technology, which he believes is a no-brainer due to its clear impact on the game. However, he expressed disdain for the idea of referees explaining their decisions, envisioning it as a tedious affair.
Despite his strong stance, Postecoglou recognizes that he might be in the minority in his viewpoint on VAR. He acknowledged, “I know I will be in a minority with that, and my role within that is to accept that whatever my feelings are on it, ultimately, there’s still going to be an arbitrator of decisions.”
In response to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s suggestion of a replay, Postecoglou downplayed the idea, emphasizing that a mere mistake shouldn’t be the threshold for a replay. He quipped, “If your threshold for replays is mistakes by individuals, that’s 365 games a year, I reckon.”
As the VAR debate rages on, it’s clear that Postecoglou isn’t one to shy away from voicing his opinions on the matter. Whether or not his call for a VAR overhaul gains traction remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the VAR controversy in football shows no signs of fading away anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about VAR overhaul
What does Ange Postecoglou think about VAR in its current form?
Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager, believes that VAR, in its current state, is not suitable for football. He argues that it slows down the game and scrutinizes too many aspects, unlike the frenetic pace of football he admires.
What was the controversial incident involving VAR in a recent match?
In a recent match against Liverpool, VAR officials failed to overturn a wrongly flagged offside decision that allowed Liverpool to score. Tottenham benefited from this decision, eventually winning the game 2-1 with an injury-time own goal.
What is Postecoglou’s preference when it comes to technology in football?
Postecoglou favors goalline technology, considering it a significant improvement for the game due to its clear impact. However, he opposes the idea of referees explaining their decisions in detail.
What is Postecoglou’s response to the idea of a replay after the controversial VAR decision?
Postecoglou dismisses the notion of a replay, suggesting that a simple mistake shouldn’t be the threshold for such action. He humorously calculates that if mistakes were the criteria, there would be 365 games a year to consider for replays.
More about VAR overhaul
- Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou calls for VAR overhaul
- Controversial VAR decision in Tottenham vs. Liverpool match
- Postecoglou’s stance on technology in football
- Jurgen Klopp’s suggestion of a replay
3 comments
ange postecoglou makin sense bout var. its too slo n stops game lots. i lik dat he want goalline tech tho.
LOL, spurs luky wiv VAR. dey shudnt won dat game. Klopp rite, shud be replay.
Postecoglou got a point bout tech in football. Goalline’s cool, but ref explainin everythin? nah thx!