Bruno Fernandes' unfortunate red card after a tackle on James Maddison once again raised questions about how VAR works in the Premier League. After many layers of evaluation, from the main referee on the field to VAR, the result was eventually overturned by another panel. This raises the question of how many layers of refereeing are needed before the most accurate decision can be made?
While Bruno tried to block Maddison, the Man United captain slipped and accidentally touched the sole of his shoe to the opponent. Head referee Chris Kavanagh did not hesitate to show him a red card. VAR referee Peter Bankes then had the opportunity to reconsider this decision with the advantage of the footage. However, Bankes did not intervene, arguing that the on-field decision did not need to be changed. As a result, the Portuguese midfielder was sent off.
After Man United appealed Bruno's red card, the FA's Disciplinary Committee agreed that referee Kavanagh's decision was wrong. The "Red Devils" star's suspension was lifted and he returned in the next match against Aston Villa.
With Bruno's foul, at first glance it was a dangerous and intentional tackle. However, when reviewing, it was clear that the 30-year-old midfielder slipped and had no malicious intentions towards Maddison. After the match, Bruno sadly shared that Maddison himself affirmed that it was a foul but "never a red card".
However, in the re-evaluation process, from VAR to the Disciplinary Committee, there can be different conclusions from the same situation. Kavanagh's decision may have kept VAR unchanged but was not correct enough to pass the Disciplinary Committee. This raises the question: What is the purpose of VAR?
The VAR system was born with the idea that mistakes on the pitch could be corrected with technology and time, thereby achieving absolute accuracy. However, everything has shown that the search for that accuracy has not gone anywhere. Even decisions made after reviewing VAR do not bring more solidity to the matches. In addition, the fact that the Disciplinary Board can overturn the decision of the referee and VAR proves that using VAR to end controversy in football is a waste of time.
Football has pursued the goal of absolute accuracy in decisions for many years. But since VAR was introduced, more controversy has occurred. Many decisions, especially those related to serious fouls, are so subjective that no analysis can give a completely accurate answer. Bruno Fernandes' decision to cancel his red card was no less controversial than the initial decision by referee Kavanagh or VAR.
In fact, VAR has changed many habits in football. The fan experience in the stands is not what it used to be. The simple connection between a goal and a burst of joy was severed. Instead, there are moments of waiting in confusion. The moments that fans longed to receive, are now deprived of natural emotions by VAR technology.
Maybe VAR supporters will speak up that the problem is not technology but humans controlling it and if they are trained better, the quality will be much better. However, football is always surprising and emotional. No individual or committee can give the most accurate answer. No VAR training course can fill the emotional void of waiting to see if the extra-minute goal will be recognized.
situation like Bruno Fernandes' red card could ruin a match. Even if the Disciplinary Committee may reconsider and apologize for the mistake, the result of the match has been decided.
