I’m still for the principle of VAR, but I agree it’s largely being applied by useless idiots in Scotland and I’m pretty sure having the cheapo version isn’t helping that.
However, as a more general point, I don’t think the image of VAR is being helped by the actual current rules of football. Take offside for example. It should be a simple black and white decision, but people are still moaning about an offside being given because someone is a bawhair offside. Simple. Change the rule to there having to be clear daylight between the players. This also gives the benefit of the doubt to the attacking player which can only be good for the game.
The handball rule is another minefield. Some of the rules relating to that are are absolute joke, but I’m less clear on how to resolve that one.
My biggest issue with VAR now is the ridiculous increase in the number of red cards which is completely ruining games as a spectacle. I would stop the use of VAR for giving retrospective red cards. It’s way to subjective and the severity of a challenge is far too easily manipulated by the use of TV, especially slo mo. I would keep it though for overturning incorrect red card decisions by the ref.
Finally, and finishing on a positive, my favourite thing about VAR is the giving of penalties for shirt pulling in the box. The refs eyes can’t be everywhere and shirt pulling is a pet hate of mine, or should I say the getting away with shirt pulling is a pet hate of mine. Simple message to players, if you pull someone’s shirt in the box, you’re giving away a penalty, so don’t f**king do it!