on May 13, 2026, 10:50 am, in reply to "I've always said a ref should always be given the option to review"
If he doesn't see something, the VAR quickly checks and says there might be something for you to look at, which must be factual (i.e. Hand touches the ball rather than something subjective) so that the ref can take a look and decide.
VAR should not give their opinion or try and influence the ref. Ref should ask for other views if needed, but VAR should not offer any advice or interpretation and the onfield ref should be allowed to be exactly that, the referee.
There is an over reliance now on VAR now from on field referee's giving or not giving decisions that they know will be reviewed anyway.
We need to go back to the on field ref being the be all and end all and being the sole decision maker, even if they use replays on a monitor to decide.
Ste 
Previous Message
we know as refs that we might have missed something
I'll often say to players "I'd love another look at that"
It shouldn't be up to the VAR to tell him that he needs another look because once that happens we know what is going to happen
The ref hasn't seen the handball - it happens
However its now the VAR re refereeing the game as it is basically up to him to decide if it is a penalty or not as the ref doesn't get to see it Previous Message
the ref on the field makes the decision.
IF he says, I haven't seen it, VAR should say, there is a definite touch of the hand, I recommend you go to the monitor and review.
Nothing else.
Ref goes to monitor, makes own mind up with no input.
Decides the next action.
Having some other useless cunt sat in a room making the decisions rather than the useless cunt on the pitch is just doubling the problem.
It's embaressing.
Rememeber when Darren England fucked up the offside decision between liverpool and spurs? He's been rewarded for his performances this season by being given the middle in the FA Cup final.
The standards are low, the laws dont help them and the guidance on handball, wrestling, VAR use is making it even worse.
PGMOL is not fit for purpose and it is ruining the game.
Ste Previous Message
1) The VAR confidently states that it’s a ‘total accident’ - before even watching the replay. He’s made his mind up before even using the technology, so why even have the technology? Surely at least go through the exercise before making your decision?
2) The VAR then says that the ‘total accident’ is caused because ‘He’s gone to grab the player.’ The video then shows Fernandes wrapping his arms around Barry - who he’s ’gone to grab.’ So, isn’t that a penalty in and of itself?
https://x.com/irishefc1878/status/2054353849490501780?s=46
Watching this back absolutely infuriates me. It reinforces my view that these people aren’t corrupt - they’re just entirely incompetent.
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