VARce by numbers

[Vegas Claret]

https://www.sportbible.com/football/new ... _WtAvxm6eg

[Rileybobs]

I don't see the issue. We can only work with the technology we have - and this keeps offside calls consistent across every single game. I'm happy with the margin of error.

As I've said on another thread there will also be a few millimeters of inaccuracy with the goal line technology.

[arise_sir_charge]

I posted some similar calculations of my own after the England goal was ruled out in the Nations League.....the technology is not fit for what its being asked to determine.

[Rileybobs]

I posted some similar calculations of my own after the England goal was ruled out in the Nations League.....the technology is not fit for what its being asked to determine.

But it's more accurate than the assistant referee's naked eye.

[martin_p]

But it's more accurate than the assistant referee's naked eye.

Not necessarily. The assistant is seeing fluid motion, VAR pictures are seeing a still image every 1/50th of a second.

[FactualFrank]

Can somebody post the stats please. When I click that link the antivirus software goes beserk.

[Rileybobs]

Not necessarily. The assistant is seeing fluid motion, VAR pictures are seeing a still image every 1/50th of a second.

The assistant can't slow down time and can't physically look at two incidents at the same time, ie. someone kicking a ball and someone else 50 yards away.

[martin_p]

The assistant can't slow down time and can't physically look at two incidents at the same time, ie. someone kicking a ball and someone else 50 yards away.

True, but not many offsides come from 50 yard balls. A camera can’t determine the exact instance a ball is kicked.

[Rileybobs]

True, but not many offsides come from 50 yard balls. A camera can’t determine the exact instance a ball is kicked.

50 yards or 10 yards - it doesn’t matter. The AR can’t see both incidents at the same time with a degree of accuracy. There is a margin of error with VAR - but it’s the same margin of error applied to every single offside incident and there’s no way that you can argue that it’s less accurate than an AR on the pitch.

[martin_p]

50 yards or 10 yards - it doesn’t matter. The AR can’t see both incidents at the same time with a degree of accuracy. There is a margin of error with VAR - but it’s the same margin of error applied to every single offside incident and there’s no way that you can argue that it’s less accurate than an AR on the pitch.

But it’s no more accurate in very tight calls and that is essentially my argument. Within a margin of error (I suggested 30cm either way on another thread) just go with the linesman’s call. If it’s over 30cm it’s likely the tv pictures are accurate enough to spot errors.

[Tall Paul]

But it’s no more accurate in very tight calls and that is essentially my argument. Within a margin of error (I suggested 30cm either way on another thread) just go with the linesman’s call. If it’s over 30cm it’s likely the tv pictures are accurate enough to spot errors.

Haven't the assistants been told not to flag and leave it to VAR if it's a tight call?

[simonclaret]

Haven't the assistants been told not to flag and leave it to VAR if it's a tight call?

No, the ref is meant to let play continue even if the flag goes up but it does appear that instruction is not being followed.

[Paulclaret]

I don't think, as far as offsides go, that VAR is the problem, it's the actual law, which states that if any part of the attacker is ahead of the defender, it's offside. I think it would be better if offside only occurred if there was clear daylight between the players. If any part of the torso is overlapping, they should be regarded as level and onside.

[simonclaret]

More info from https://www.espn.co.uk/football/english ... s-answered

Is the assistant referee instructed to keep his flag down?
If the call is exceptionally tight, the assistant can raise the flag when the attacking move ends. This could, for instance, mean a corner is cancelled and offside given. Similarly, referees have the right to let play continue if it is felt there could be an attacking advantage.

This differs to UEFA and FIFA competitions, in which flags are kept down unless a player is clearly offside. This means play can run on unnecessarily.

[Tall Paul]

No, the ref is meant to let play continue even if the flag goes up but it does appear that instruction is not being followed.

Fair enough. Although your second post suggests that they are meant to keep their flag down until the attacking move ends.

I suspect there would be less criticism of VAR if some goals were allowed after the assistant flags for offside and VAR proved them not to have been offside. It only seems to be working one way at the moment.