Ranting About Refs and VAR: A Look at Adjusting VAR Rules for a Fairer Bundesliga
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- Preparingfor the next Augsburg match,VAR elimination announced
After a tough loss to FC Bayern Munich, FC Augsburg's frustration with the referee spilled over yet again. A week after a questionable penalty call in Hoffenheim led to a 1:1 draw and the loss of two valuable points, sporting director Marinko Jurendic questioned the usefulness of VAR in professional football.
"Then we might as well scrap the bloody VAR!" Jurendic seethed, referring to the controversial yellow-red card shown to FC Augsburg defender Cédric Zesiger after 60 minutes of play when the score was still 1:1. With one man advantage, the Bayern duo of Harry Kane and Leroy Sané swiftly pulled away, securing the win for the league leaders.
"No foul, no yellow card," Jurendic, along with other Augsburg officials, insistently argued about the pivotal altercation between Zesiger and Kane. The incident involved a harsh strike on Kane's ankle, but the ball was played first by the Augsburg defender. Kane left the field with an ice pack on his foot, branding the tackle from behind as treacherous.
Jurendic slammed the rulebook that only allows for VAR intervention in the case of a red card. The already cautioned Zesiger received a second yellow card in the incident, leaving Augsburg to play a man down for the remainder of the game. Jurendic demanded a reevaluation of VAR's application, stating that otherwise, it serves no useful purpose. The red card completely altered the game's trajectory, ultimately leading to the decisive goal shortly after.
FC Augsburg coach Jess Thorup struggled to mask his fury after his team's first loss of the second half. "Now I've got to watch my tongue," the Dane sighed, "I talked about the referee last week. I don't want to always do it." He saw the situation clearly: "He kicks the ball one hundred percent first, so for me, it's not a yellow card," and, therefore, no yellow-red for Zesiger.
- Foul Play
- FC Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga
- Augsburg
- FC Augsburg
- Playing with a man down
- Harry Kane
- Hoffenheim
- VAR
In the wider world of football, the question of revising VAR rules to include card reviews, such as in the context of games like Augsburg vs Bayern Munich, stirs ongoing debate. Here are some points to ponder:
Current VAR Rules
Presently, VAR rules prevent reviews of yellow cards, including those that culminate in red cards due to second cautions during the same match[4]. The scope of reviews is limited to four categories: goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red card, and mistaken identity[2][4].
The Case for Revision
- Fairness and Consistency: Instances like the controversial yellow-card call in the James Tarkowski incident demonstrate the need for VAR to review potential red card offenses that were initially only yellow-carded. This move could contribute to a more balanced and fair game by promoting consistent decision-making[3].
- Maximizing Technology: Since VAR technology is already available for evaluating specific plays, expanding its purview to accommodate more significant disciplinary decisions would help to ensure a more accurate and just game.
Counterarguments
- Flow and Time Management: Adding more categories for review could greatly prolong the duration of games and disrupt their natural progression. Currently, VAR checks already introduce delays; incorporating another category might exacerbate this issue.
- Subjectivity and Discretion: Many yellow card decisions contain subjective elements, and referees' discretion is often valued. Expanding VAR reviews could potentially result in increased controversy and debate rather than less, as decisions might still appear inconsistent.
Final Thoughts
While revising VAR rules to incorporate yellow-red card decisions might enhance fairness, it also raises concerns about game flow and the subjective nature of many referee decisions. To find the right balance between fairness and practicality, any changes would necessitate careful consideration of these factors to ensure they positively impact the sport.
- The controversy surrounding the VAR ruling in the FC Augsburg vs FC Bayern Munich match has reignited discussions about revising VAR rules, particularly for yellow cards that lead to red cards.
- The Augsburg officials have urged for a reevaluation of VAR's application, citing instances like Cédric Zesiger's second yellow card as demonstrating the need for a rule change.
- If the VAR rules were revised to include reviews of yellow cards, it could potentially contribute to a more balanced and fair game by promoting consistency in decision-making, such as in the questionable yellow-card call in the James Tarkowski incident.
