Amidst the baffled reactions to the officiating calls during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, Specsavers’ official Twitter account seized the opportunity to fire a dig at VAR’s inconsistent application.
The technology came under fire after failing to invite Paul Tierney to take a closer look at Harry Kane’s reckless challenge on Andy Robertson in the first-half, despite later instructing the official to reconsider his yellow card call for the Scot’s tackle on Emerson Royal.
We appreciate VAR's consistent dedication to promoting our business.
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) December 19, 2021
Jurgen Klopp was understandably apoplectic at various points in the tie, reacting sarcastically after the referee showed the German a yellow card for his touchline antics.
Amusing as Specsavers’ post-game intervention was, one has to seriously question why VAR chose to selectively get involved in proceedings when there were clear opportunities to intervene.
It’s not so much to refute Andy Robertson’s red card (an objectively correct call) but to question why such an application of VAR wasn’t consistently applied throughout the tie in cases where VAR stepping in was warranted.
The whole point of the technology, after all, was to intervene where referees failed to make the correct call or misjudged from a poor angle or perspective.
At the very least, this may hopefully invite some investigations into the continued viability of the technology and the standard of officiating within the English top-flight.
Fouls, indirect free-kicks and match-fixing: Liverpool vs. Inter Milan 1965
I don’t think it is the technology of the VAR system that is at fault – it is the standard of the officials who operate it. The majority of the referees operating in the PL are not good enough. We will get the same claptrap from the powers that be – but nothing will change – they just cover their own backsides and trot out the usual excuses.
I have to wonder if Stockley Park were watching a different game.
A retrospective red card for Mr Kane would perhaps ease the pain for LFC. Not sure how the authorities deal with the referee and VOR officials, do they get a ban?
The only thing that seems to happen is that they are not given a game in the next round of fixtures – probably to let the dust settle until the next games.
The referees should have to face the media to explain their decisions, after the games, just like the managers etc.
I am convinced that Jamie Redknapp is right that Kane did not get sent off because he is England captain – just as Pickford didn’t get dealt with for his dangerous tackle on VVD.
The only thing that seems to happen is that they are not given a game in the next round of fixtures – probably to let the dust settle until the next games.
The referees should have to face the media to explain their decisions, after the games, just like the managers etc.
I am convinced that Jamie Redknapp is right that Kane did not get sent off because he is England captain – just as Pickford didn’t get dealt with for his dangerous tackle on VVD.
They should look at every game retrospectively and ban or rescind Wrong Decisions by the Ref and those operating VAR or should I say farce