VAR has caused a lot of problems in La Liga in recent times. In Real Madrid's recent 0-1 loss to Espanyol, controversy arose when Mbappe was fouled roughly, but the opponent was not given a red card. After the match, Real Madrid's leaders publicly criticized VAR and filed a complaint with the Spanish Royal Football Federation.
In a recent conversation with SPORT, Barcelona's sporting director Deco also raised doubts about VAR. Referee mistakes always exist, because it is a human problem, he said. The only thing I don't know is how much VAR is helping. What has improved?
VAR is certainly effective, but it also creates a lot of controversy. I have a feeling that VAR has made the situation worse: more discussions, more debates, more doubts.
Deco continued to point to cases where he believed Barcelona had been unfairly punished: Fermin was sent off for a tackle, but the opponent did not accept a penalty card for a similar tackle to Pedri. How much does VAR intervene? I'm not speaking as a sporting director, but as an audience member. Sometimes I doubt what VAR can improve.
Currently, Real Madrid is looking to open a discussion on how to use VAR, but they are facing opposition from the Spanish government. Although director Deco expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the technology, Barcelona have yet to make an official statement.
