On VAR, Referees and That Waiting Game

VAR isn't a villain but only works when used properly by the right people. Until then the game's become a pause-and-wait routine and that takes the joy out of goals.

To be fair, VAR was supposed to tidy up the obvious mistakes. Trouble is, it only helps when the people operating it and the process around it are right. At the moment that feels hit and miss — and after a goal you're left holding your breath instead of celebrating. It's not a nice place to be for any supporter.

Waiting for the verdict

There's something odd about scoring and then being told to wait. You celebrate, then stop. You start to breathe out, then breathe in again. Football should have moments that are pure and immediate. The current setup turns them into a slow-motion anxiety test. You can see why some folk prefer watching lower leagues where VAR isn't in the picture and the flow feels more natural.

It's not just the tech

People talk like VAR is the problem, but really it's a system problem. The tech only exposes the decisions people make. If the officials on the pitch and the team in the box aren't consistent, you get the sort of talking points we all moan about on a Sunday. Better training, clearer guidelines and accountability are the obvious answers — but that's easier said than done.

Still backing the boys

All that said, this isn't a rant aimed at officials personally. Most folk in the game want the right result. I'm just fed up with the stop-start nature of it, and the sense that calls look different depending on which way they fall. I'll still be confident about Sunday, singing at full voice and hoping the ref, VAR and everyone else lets football be football for a change.

Written by scrambled egg: 8 March 2026