As the weekend approaches and another round of Premier League games await, the nagging feeling that VAR is going to ruin the game doesn’t go away. A large number of games have been influenced by VAR decisions and significant frustrations have been voiced by a wide range of fans. 

On European nights, it seems as if the sentiment towards VAR is far less negative on the continent. Why might that be?

It has been suggested that the standard of refereeing is generally worse in England than elsewhere. Could it be that the additional scrutiny applied to Premier League matches is deterring talented officials? Perhaps, but officials in other leagues such as La Liga also suffer the same fate. So maybe it’s that rowdy crowds in the lower leagues lead to referees giving up earlier in their careers than they might have? Possibly, but that is a side of the game that must be protected as it only really exists here (and possibly Germany). 

In August, Howard Webb made it clear that the VAR process needed improvement and offered some clear resolutions for the forthcoming season. First, ‘Referee’s Call’ which would make the onfield official’s opinion clear. Next, that delays would be reduced, and decisions would be made efficiently. And finally, that offsides would become semi-automated. Apart from the latter, has any progress really been made?

Perhaps our frustration in England is amplified by the success we see in other sports. Controversy has all but disappeared from cricket and tennis, and thought processes are demonstrated with complete visibility in rugby union, meaning that the reasoning is evident even when calls could go either way. 

For what it’s worth, I think the two big calls made last week were correct. That is the sending off of William Saliba for his pull back on Evanilson. And John Stones’ last minute winner being allowed to stand following Bernardo Silva’s action near the goal line. Wolves manager Gary O’Neil hinted towards big club bias. He should be sure that he’s correct before he makes those claims.

Broadcasters - particularly those behind a paywall - feed off controversy. One assumes that pundits are giving their honest opinion but when they are so obtusely ignorant to the rules of the game one does have to wonder if they are creating a stir solely for engagement. 

Nonetheless it is clear that frustration is shared among the matchday fan and those at home. The Premier League must act immediately to have referees explain their thought process live in the stadium and on TV. Beginning with their ‘Referee’s call’, the VAR intervention process must be heard by all stakeholders, with explanations offered for decisions at the time, rather than later on Twitter (ensuingly X). 

I also think that Video Assistant Referees should be present at the ground, just as they are in other sports.

Finally, and crucially, the incentives to become a Premier League referee must be sufficient. The League must reach into the coffers and offer a remuneration package which attracts the top talent, just as it does on the playing side. 

Let’s hope the headlines this weekend are about the quality of the football.

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By Leon Parrott