Ryan Gutierrez

AP Lang
October 16, 2019

Does VAR hurt or benefit Soccer?

The sport of soccer has been known for experiencing all kinds of emotions. The joys and
defeats that this game generates is just amazing. The passion that this sport brings out all over the
world is extraordinary and unique but it has been very controversial over the past months as
FIFA implemented a new technology called VAR (Video Assistant Referee). This technological
device is helping referees make better calls if they are not sure about their decision. VAR should
be discontinued, in my opinion, because it makes the game slower and takes away the passion
and suspense from the game.

People all over the world including professionals have criticized VAR because of it effect
on the game. The VAR takes away “the unexpected and unfair spirit” (Nieler). You can’t get
away with stuff anymore and it’s ruining the meaning of the games. If people start “relying on
video technology rather than human biases of the ref, the game is slower and less emotional”
(Nieler). The game is getting softer which makes it hard on the players who like to play rough. It
makes the game slower because your going to have to wait until the referee goes to the tv,
reviews the call, and you are losing playing time which is bad especially when you are losing.

Soccer has enough breaks already and knowing that VAR is going to take up more time
just shows how it’s slowing down the game. In soccer we have “ substitutions, corner kicks, free
kicks, throw ins, injuries, and delays from players themselves” (Clarey). VAR is slowing down
the game much more than it should which can make the sport boring to watch. VAR is
controversial because even though “a small fortune invested in technology and training, the
video- assistant referee system is no panacea”(Clarey). Even though it is considered to be a good
way to make it fair, it is actually ruining the game and the way you play, especially the pros.

In some parts, people think VAR is very good for calls that are not seen and to give out
cards when it’s due and in some cases, they have a point. The technology can be very useful for
making sure the game is evenly played out but it just doesn’t convince me that it is useful. I see
why FIFA and the people wanted this but it just takes away the principle on how the game has
been played by many generations before us.

VAR should be removed because of the things it is taking away from the beautiful game.
The fouls, the fights, the spirit, and toughness of players that fight hard everyday and give it all
they got can’t even enjoy it anymore because they know that if they do something illegal, you
will get kicked out of the game. It makes the game softer which is not good because the sport is
known for its roughness. The way the game is changing is the reason why I think VAR should
go.