No system, however mechanically
sophisticated, can guarantee justice in
football, but the VAR innovation seems
likely to be largely effective – though not
wholly without controversy.
A former senior referee has cast
doubt on the VAR decision which gave
Manchester United their breathlessly
decisive recent European goal in Paris.
Interpretation of what actually happened
in any controversial situation will always
be a delicate matter. To err, after all, is
human – but the possibility of injustice is
surely hugely reduced by the new system.
You think of all the past notorious
injustices which could have been avoided
were VAR then in existence. Not least
the shocking “Hand of God” goal scored
by Diego Maradona for Argentina against
England in the Azteca Stadium in the
World Cup. An inexperienced African
officiating triumvirate contrived not to see
anything and England would be beaten
and eliminated.
Other injustices come to mind. As
long ago as the 1932 FA Cup Final at
Wembley, Arsenal were the hapless
victims against Newcastle United. The ball
had palpably run over the goal line when
Newcastle pulled it back and Jack Allen
headed a crucial goal, the Gunners’
defence having stopped in the belief that
a goal kick would be given.
Then there was the disallowed 2010
World Cup goal scored by Frank Lampard
for England against Germany in South
Africa, the ball having crossed the goal
line by a comfortable margin, only for it
to be denied and Germany to go on andWas Jack Grealish kicked by a steward at
St Andrews?
Yes, we know that he had previously
been attacked by a lout of a Birmingham
City fan, who was duly hauled away and
has been properly been banned for life
by the club which, in his perverted way,
he claims to support.
But the steward’s outrage was simply
adding insult to injury and this surely was
a matter for the police.
win comfortably.
Goals change what you might call the
psychology of games and had that one
been given, as it so plainly should have
been, would England have avoided what
turned into a crushing defeat?
VAR surely means a greater quality of
justice even if it cannot be infallible.West Bromwich Albion’s sudden,
unexpected and oddly erratic sacking
of Darren Moore as their manager
bewilders. Hard not to feel sympathy
for that unusual figure, a black manager.
He took over late last season with the
team in trouble and even if he could not
save them from relegation he steadied
the ship and this season had more than
decent results in the Championship.
Made full manager at the end of the
last campaign, he then found himself
without several key players: Jonny Evans,
Ben Foster and James McClean. Even
so, he left the team in a commendable
fourth position. What more was expected
of him? Automatic promotion, I suppose,
even though his squad had been so
substantially weakened.
If he now feels disappointed and
embittered who could rationally blame
him? I hope he finds another club soon
for he is clearly a manager of quality.
In the running as his successor at The
Hawthorns is Slavisa Jokanovic, whom
Fulham controversially sacked early
this season. The club spent, for better or
arguably worse, £100million in the close
season but he was not in charge of their
transfer policy.Steward’s crime
added insult to
Grealish injury
West Brom’s Moore surely deserves another chance
VAR will bring
greater justice
Controversy...Presnel
Kimpembe of PSG
is judged to have
handled a shot from
Manchester United’s
Diogo DalotORead Brian Glanville’s weekly
online column at worldsoccer.comSacked...
Darren Moore