English football officials can learn valuable lessons on the proper implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology from the ongoing World Cup, according to football editor Ian Ladyman.
The tournament, held in America, Canada, and Mexico, has reportedly demonstrated effective VAR usage by allowing games to flow more freely and intervening only in cases of clear and obvious errors. This approach contrasts with the Premier League, where Ladyman suggests VAR interventions have become overly frequent and detailed, negatively impacting the rhythm of matches.
In the first 40 games of the World Cup, there were only 13 VAR interventions, averaging 0.33 per game. This is a stark difference from the Premier League, where the phrases 'clear and obvious error' and 'high bar for intervention' have reportedly become diluted, leading to prolonged checks that disrupt the game's momentum. Ladyman notes that Premier League goals often cannot be celebrated until VAR officials give their approval.
This World Cup, the narrative has allowed star players such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Cristiano Ronaldo to perform with a freedom not always seen in leagues with intense VAR scrutiny. While the hydration breaks have been criticized for disrupting the flow, the VAR system itself appears to have been more judicious.
Ladyman points to two incidents from England's match against Ghana as examples of effective VAR application. In one instance, a potential foul by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was not extensively reviewed by VAR, with the on-field decision in his favor allowed to stand. Similarly, a possible penalty call against Ezri Konsa was also allowed to proceed without lengthy interruption. The article highlights a Brazilian goal against Scotland that was correctly disallowed after VAR identified an earlier trip by Vinicius Junior, demonstrating VAR's role as a safeguard against major mistakes.
This World Cup approach sees VAR functioning as a fail-safe, with officials aiming to be minimally visible. Ladyman contrasts this with the Premier League, where VAR referees have, in his view, taken center stage, becoming integral to every game. He suggests that Howard Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and his colleagues in England should observe and learn from the World Cup's model to implement necessary changes for the upcoming season.