"Cast your mind back to last month's FA Cup third round. Remember how "refreshing" it was to watch elite football without VAR? That's what so many players, coaches, fans and pundits agreed. You could "enjoy the moment." So many argued the same thing: Football was just better without VAR. Yet, this weekend's FA Cup fourth round produced the exact opposite reaction."
"In just one game -- Newcastle United's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday -- there was a missed red card, a penalty not given and an offside goal wrongly allowed. Even on a weekend that began with Barcelona waiting eight minutes to see VAR rule out a goal against Atlético Madrid, the FA Cup fourth round was an advert for why it was introduced in the first place."
"Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday."
The FA Cup's middle rounds revert to matches without VAR, creating a contrast between perceived enjoyment and officiating accuracy. The third round felt more 'refreshing' and allowed fans, players and pundits to 'enjoy the moment' with fewer interventions. The fourth round produced multiple clear errors, including a missed red card, a penalty not awarded and an offside goal allowed during Newcastle United's trip to Aston Villa. Barcelona experienced an eight-minute VAR check to rule out a goal against Atlético Madrid. VAR reduces some spontaneity but brings a degree of accuracy that elite football expects. Former referee Andy Davies explains VAR processes and protocols.
Read at ESPN.com
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