Denmark rulings show how video review at Euro 2024 moved on far from FIFA’s original vision for VAR
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Yueke
Fri, Jul 12, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
Denmark Rulings Show How Video Review at Euro 2024 Has Evolved Far from FIFA’s Original Vision for VAR
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Video review of soccer referees’ decisions is testing the patience and faith of coaches, players, and fans at the European Championship — much like it does in club games.
When FIFA tested and shaped the Video Assistant Review (VAR) concept in 2016, there were some clear guidelines:
Only overturn clear errors. Do not undermine the authority of the match referee. Give decisions within 10 seconds.
How is that working out for everyone two World Cups and two Euros later, plus countless controversies in English Premier League games?
Not well at all, according to Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.
“In my opinion, this is not how football is supposed to be,” Hjulmand said late Saturday after a match that swung on back-to-back technology-aided decisions from the English match officials.
Instead of leading 1-0 in the 48th minute, on Joachim Andersen’s goal ruled offside, Denmark was trailing 1-0 in the 53rd, due to a penalty awarded against Andersen for handball.
“Yeah, it was an even game. And then in the end, it was the referee who decided the game for us,” Andersen said.
The reaction of Hjulmand and Andersen — who plays for English Premier League club Crystal Palace and is well acquainted with the work of referee Michael Oliver — summed up widespread frustration in an era of so many goal celebrations cut short.
This is the tournament, of course, where the technology has seen three goals and Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku’s goal overruled by VAR.
Referees also can often seem to be remotely controlled, going against FIFA’s pledge in 2016: “Never lose the authority of referees, never take it out.”
“Michael Oliver is not making this decision,” Tottenham’s Australian coach Ange Postecoglou said of the penalty award during a British broadcast of the Denmark game. “If I hear one more person saying that they’re not re-refereeing a game, I will blow up. I don’t think that is why we brought in technology for that decision.”
The ball clearly struck Andersen’s hand, though from a hard-hit cross at such a close distance that Oliver did not initially judge it a foul, had he thought an arm was extended in an unnatural position.
While the VAR intervention was decisive, applying the strict laws of the game regarding handball was the issue for some.
“The handball law is (expletive),” Alan Shearer, the former England great and BBC broadcaster, said.
Hjulmand said he was “so tired of the ridiculous handball rule. Joachim was running normally. It’s a normal situation.”
VAR officials also were not technically responsible for the offside judged against Denmark’s Thomas Delaney, who had been ahead of the last German defender. It was a binary ruling by the multi-camera-based Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system conveyed to the referee from the VAR room.
Another goal before scoring against Romania was similarly marginal, using a system developed since 2016.
“SAOT is working very, very well, we are super happy,” UEFA’s head of refereeing Roberto Rosetti said in a review of match officials’ performance in the 36 group-stage games.
After 20 corrections by VAR in those 36 games, the rate was bumped up by the three key overrules — two goals disallowed, one for each team, and the Germany penalty awarded — in the second of the round of 16 games.
One of the key decisions also involved Stuart Attwell, who helped steer another English referee, Anthony Taylor, to rule out a goal for the Netherlands against France. The officials decided France goalkeeper Mike Maignan had been impeded by Denzel Dumfries standing nearby in an offside position. The game ended 0-0.
The offside tech has been giving decisions within an average of 46 seconds, Rosetti said, while VAR decisions overall, which can include sending the referee to a pitch-side monitor, were averaging one minute, 36 seconds.
Those are faster decisions by far than in the now-infamously erratic Premier League, yet still way beyond FIFA’s original wish for decisions within seconds to not disrupt the flow of play.
“We have 10 seconds, or 12 seconds if we want, but it’s not good for the game,” said top Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers in 2016. Kuipers is now retired from games and is at Euro 2024 working for UEFA.
Despite complaints and frustration about VAR, when Premier League clubs were asked on June 6 about scrapping it next season, they voted to keep it.
Also, the laws on handball and offside can be changed at the International Football Association Board (IFAB). It is run by FIFA and the four British soccer federations.
Ultimately, however, the soccer industry wants to live without more of the epic controversies that are part of its lore.
Did England’s decisive third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final really cross the goal-line? Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal helped Argentina beat England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was not born until 1987, suggested Saturday the game is now better for its technology.
“I think when you value every situation, and if VAR interrupts the game and you compare it to the former days,” Nagelsmann said, “I think it’s more fair than if you have no VAR.”
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Video review of soccer referees’ decisions is testing the patience and faith of coaches, players, and fans at the European Championship — much like it does in club games.
When FIFA tested and shaped the Video Assistant Review (VAR) concept in 2016, there were some clear guidelines:
Only overturn clear errors. Do not undermine the authority of the match referee. Give decisions within 10 seconds.
How is that working out for everyone two World Cups and two Euros later, plus countless controversies in English Premier League games?
Not well at all, according to Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.
“In my opinion, this is not how football is supposed to be,” Hjulmand said late Saturday after a match that swung on back-to-back technology-aided decisions from the English match officials.
Instead of leading 1-0 in the 48th minute, on Joachim Andersen’s goal ruled offside, Denmark was trailing 1-0 in the 53rd, due to a penalty awarded against Andersen for handball.
“Yeah, it was an even game. And then in the end, it was the referee who decided the game for us,” Andersen said.
The reaction of Hjulmand and Andersen — who plays for English Premier League club Crystal Palace and is well acquainted with the work of referee Michael Oliver — summed up widespread frustration in an era of so many goal celebrations cut short.
This is the tournament, of course, where the technology has seen three goals and Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku’s goal overruled by VAR.
Referees also can often seem to be remotely controlled, going against FIFA’s pledge in 2016: “Never lose the authority of referees, never take it out.”
“Michael Oliver is not making this decision,” Tottenham’s Australian coach Ange Postecoglou said of the penalty award during a British broadcast of the Denmark game. “If I hear one more person saying that they’re not re-refereeing a game, I will blow up. I don’t think that is why we brought in technology for that decision.”
The ball clearly struck Andersen’s hand, though from a hard-hit cross at such a close distance that Oliver did not initially judge it a foul, had he thought an arm was extended in an unnatural position.
While the VAR intervention was decisive, applying the strict laws of the game regarding handball was the issue for some.
“The handball law is (expletive),” Alan Shearer, the former England great and BBC broadcaster, said.
Hjulmand said he was “so tired of the ridiculous handball rule. Joachim was running normally. It’s a normal situation.”
VAR officials also were not technically responsible for the offside judged against Denmark’s Thomas Delaney, who had been ahead of the last German defender. It was a binary ruling by the multi-camera-based Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system conveyed to the referee from the VAR room.
Another goal before scoring against Romania was similarly marginal, using a system developed since 2016.
“SAOT is working very, very well, we are super happy,” UEFA’s head of refereeing Roberto Rosetti said in a review of match officials’ performance in the 36 group-stage games.
After 20 corrections by VAR in those 36 games, the rate was bumped up by the three key overrules — two goals disallowed, one for each team, and the Germany penalty awarded — in the second of the round of 16 games.
One of the key decisions also involved Stuart Attwell, who helped steer another English referee, Anthony Taylor, to rule out a goal for the Netherlands against France. The officials decided France goalkeeper Mike Maignan had been impeded by Denzel Dumfries standing nearby in an offside position. The game ended 0-0.
The offside tech has been giving decisions within an average of 46 seconds, Rosetti said, while VAR decisions overall, which can include sending the referee to a pitch-side monitor, were averaging one minute, 36 seconds.
Those are faster decisions by far than in the now-infamously erratic Premier League, yet still way beyond FIFA’s original wish for decisions within seconds to not disrupt the flow of play.
“We have 10 seconds, or 12 seconds if we want, but it’s not good for the game,” said top Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers in 2016. Kuipers is now retired from games and is at Euro 2024 working for UEFA.
Despite complaints and frustration about VAR, when Premier League clubs were asked on June 6 about scrapping it next season, they voted to keep it.
Also, the laws on handball and offside can be changed at the International Football Association Board (IFAB). It is run by FIFA and the four British soccer federations.
Ultimately, however, the soccer industry wants to live without more of the epic controversies that are part of its lore.
Did England’s decisive third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final really cross the goal-line? Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal helped Argentina beat England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was not born until 1987, suggested Saturday the game is now better for its technology.
“I think when you value every situation, and if VAR interrupts the game and you compare it to the former days,” Nagelsmann said, “I think it’s more fair than if you have no VAR.”
can bring misery to each year.
Tree, grass, and other pollens can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing.
Where you live and what you’re allergic to can make a big difference in , but there are many things you can do to feel better.
Here are some tips from experts to keep allergies at bay — maybe even enough to allow you to enjoy the outdoors.
WHICH POLLENS CAUSE ALLERGIES?
There are three main types of pollen. Earlier in the spring, tree pollen is the main culprit. After that grasses pollinate, followed by weeds in the late summer and early fall.
Some of the most common tree pollens that cause allergies include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Grasses that cause symptoms include Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass.
TRACK POLLEN LEVELS, THEN PLAN YOUR DAY
The best and first step to controlling allergies is avoiding exposure. That’s easier said than done when it’s nice out.
Start with keeping your windows closed at home and in the car, avoiding going out when pollen counts are highest and changing clothes when you get home. The same masks that got us through the pandemic can protect you from allergies — though they won’t help with eye symptoms.
Pollen trackers can help with planning. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks levels through a network of counting stations across the U.S. Counts are available .
HOW TO RELIEVE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
You can’t fight an enemy you don’t know.
Since many Americans are allergic to several things at once, the first thing to figure out is what specifically you’re allergic to, said Dr. Nana Mireku, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Over-the-counter nasal sprays can help relieve symptoms, but they take a while to kick in, so it’s best to start them in early in the season, said Dr. Rachna Shah, an allergist and director of the .
Antihistamines are another option. Shah said she’s seen some patients benefit from switching to a similar brand if one stops working, but said that there isn’t much broader data to back the recommendation.
For young children and people who have to take many different allergy medications, immunotherapies in the form of shots and oral drops can help desensitize the immune system to allergens, treating symptoms at their root.
WHERE ARE POLLEN LEVELS THE WORST?
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issues of the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies, based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts and the number of available allergy specialists. This year, the top five were Wichita, Kansas; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; Dallas; and Oklahoma City.
IS ALLERGY SEASON CHANGING?
If you’ve been thinking it started earlier and seems longer this year, you’re on to something.
Shah usually starts looking at pollen counts in the Chicago area in April. But this year, she peeked at her data in mid-February, and tree pollen was already at a “moderate” level.
"This season has been so nuts," she said. "Granted, it was a pretty mild winter, but I didn't expect it to be so early."
Shah said she believes this season will be longer than other years, assuming the weather remains warm.
Experts say climate change has led to .
