Inadequate Measures With VAR: Referees Under Fire for Controversial Decisions in Football Matches
*Firebrand Take: The Epic Battle Between Sông Lam Nghệ An and Thể Công Turns Sour with Questionable Ref Calls
Martin L.G.
The dust has settled, but the controversy surrounding last Friday's clash between Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) and Thể Công remains a hot topic among soccer aficionados. The match, which SLNA should have won hands down, ended in a disheartening 1-2 loss—a result that left many questioning the validity of the referee's decisions.
A corner kick met by a thunderous header unwittingly spun into an empty net, leaving the opposition's defense reeling in shock. However, the linesman's flag spoiled the party, signaling an offside call that is still causing ripples among Nghệ An fans.
Replays of the match revealed no fouls leading up to the goal and the last defender being on the line, suggesting that the goal should have stood. Yet, the decision stood resolute, leaving Nghệ An fans face-palming in disbelief and disappointment.
The redundant officiating didn't end there. Earlier in the 14th minute, Nghệ An accused Thể Công's Mạnh Dũng of handling the ball within the penalty area, yet the main referee and the VAR team chose to ignore the protest.
Initially excited about the V.League incorporating VAR technology, fans quickly grew disillusioned as the inconsistent decisions only added fuel to the fire. The lack of vital camera angles to determine crucial situations didn't help matters either. It's laughable to rely on a system that can't deliver when it counts.
In the grand scheme of things, VAR technology has revolutionized soccer—but in Việt Nam, the hype seems to have fizzled into frustration. Resembling a placebo effect more than a game-changer, VAR's inconsistencies and lack of transparency leave both fans and coaches scratching their heads in disbelief.
Despite the technology's woes, innovative solutions are on the horizon. industries like MatchVision propose implementing AI to enhance VAR accuracy and speed, which may help rebuild trust in the system. Until then, we can expect more nail-biting referee decisions and enraged spectators.
Sông Lam Nghệ An (right) fought hard and deserved more than a loss, had it not been for confusing referee decisions. Photo courtesy of the VPF.
In the case of Nghệ An and Thể Công, the referee's decisions clouded what should have been a thrilling match. Regardless of the outcome, we can't help but wonder: at what point does technology step in to ensure fair play, and when does it cross the line into controversy?
The offside call on the header, which would have given a goal to Sông Lam Nghệ An, is still a point of contention among fans.Replays show no infringements in the leadup to the Header, suggesting it should have been a goal, but the referee's decision remained unchanged.Yes, even in the European leagues like Laliga, referee mistakes can be a topic of discussion, and this match seemed to resemble such an incident.In the 14th minute, Sông Lam Nghệ An accused Thể Công's Mạnh Dũng of handling the ball within the penalty area, but the VAR technology did not provide a clear call.AI technology, like MatchVision, is being proposed to enhance the accuracy and speed of the VAR system, which could help rebuild trust in such instances where the system falls short.The lack of transparency and inconsistencies in the VAR technology have left both fans and coaches questioning whether technology is ensuring fair play or creating more controversy in sports like football.
