10 things VAR could stand for that would be less annoying than Video Assistant Referee

By Ty Finch | Jul 14, 2017

CHIBA, JAPAN - JULY 12: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Referee Kenji Ogiya shows an yellow card to Daigo Furukawa (R) of JEF United Chiba during the 97th Emperor's Cup third round match between JEF United Chiba and Gamba Osaka at Fukuda Denshi Arena on July 12, 2017 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /

2 of 10

Brazilian referee Wagner Magalhaes gestures during the Copa Sudamericana 2017 second stage first leg football match between Argentina’s Huracan and Paraguay’s Libertad at Tomas Duco stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images) /

Vociferously Angry Referee

A vociferously angry video assistant referee may strongly object to the previous suggested change. But even a furious, loud-mouthed referee would be less of an annoyance than VAR is.

Nobody likes referees. They are universally hated in every sport, and are the first to be blamed for your favorite team’s loss. The only way referees gain name recognition is by blowing a big call, being generally terrible at their job or doing something really strange. A vociferously angry referee could fall under the latter.

Why is this referee so vehemently angry? I suppose we’ll never truly know. Maybe his boss shouted at him earlier in the morning and he can’t help but circulate the violent outbursts. Perhaps this referee is a strict disciplinarian, and he can’t handle the amount of fouls taking place.

It might be because he saw the eye-watering yearly salary his peer Mark Clattenburg accepted to take his talents to Saudi Arabia. His salary is a pittance comparative to Clattenburg, but also to the players he has to control. Their weekly paycheck could pay for his house. They’re in their physical prime, doing what they love for millions. He gets cups of beer thrown at him when he makes a bad call. I think the real question is: why wouldn’t this referee be so angry?

At least an angry on-field referee makes his calls quickly. Between signaling to the video assistant, reviewing the event and relaying the information, the VAR slows down play immensely. This referee, enraged as he is, makes his calls quickly and very clearly. He doesn’t have to be the greatest ref in the world. VAR is setting a low bar.

Home/Soccer