Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. Dir Mike Riley said that while video assistant referees are "not intended to make refereeing decisions 100% accurate," the game's newest technological innovation "will be viewed positively if it leads to a 2% reduction in errors by officials," according to Jacob Steinberg of the London GUARDIAN. VAR made its debut in an English club competitive match during Monday's FA Cup meeting between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. Before its trial run, the authorities were "keen to point out that the system is not supposed to usher in perfection." Riley said, "If we're saying that 4% of decisions are wrong, a 2% improvement is good for the game. As long as we don't increase interference." Critics believe that "too much technology will lead to too many stoppages during games, disrupting football's natural flow." However, Riley stressed at a media demonstration that VAR will focus on "clear and obvious" errors, noting that the aim is for "minimum interference, maximum benefit" (GUARDIAN, 1/7). In London, Ben Rumsby reported Riley said that the "biggest challenge" with the technology would be educating players, managers and fans that it is neither a "panacea for controversial calls" nor will it "sanitise" a sport in which "debatable decisions are a key part." Riley used the example of the "debatable penalty" won by EPL side Crystal Palace midfielder Wilfried Zaha against Man City last week to illustrate his point, warning that such a decision "would not be overturned using VAR irrespective of whether a spot-kick had been awarded," something he likened to "umpire's call" in cricket (TELEGRAPH, 1/7).
BUNDESLIGA BUGABOOS: In London, Kit Holden reported while the British "eagerly await" the introduction of VAR, "many in Germany are already sick to the back teeth of it." In England, the system has only been trialed once. The Bundesliga, meanwhile, "began its VAR adventure at the beginning of this season." The six months since have been "little short of calamitous." Long breaks in play, technical problems and confusion over the rules are "just the half of it." The new system has "plunged the German FA and league association into a significant image crisis, and even seen a top official sacked over accusations of using the system to favour his home team" (DAILY MAIL, 1/8).
