FA Cup 2018/19

[BeesKnees]

I have no problem with penalties. I think it should be mandatory that the ref consults the linesmen when a pen is given and if a fourth official can see something obvious to help them confirm then why not, but I'd rather it was still the ref making the decision.

Last night it could've been a little nod to say tv shows little or no contact, then leave it to the officials on the pitch to decide.

 

[doveranddover]

I'd assume as the officials are miked up there was a conversation:
ref to linesman "is that a penalty?"
linesman "yes"
ref gives pen

 

[springerbfc]

I have no problem with penalties. I think it should be mandatory that the ref consults the linesmen when a pen is given and if a fourth official can see something obvious to help them confirm then why not, but I'd rather it was still the ref making the decision.

Last night it could've been a little nod to say tv shows little or no contact, then leave it to the officials on the pitch to decide.

Last night was clear cut but the vast majority of decisions are not. Where a penalty is not given, do you stop play to check or do you allow the game to continue and then pull it back if someone else decides that a penalty should have been awarded, or that the ref needs to have a look to decide whether to change his own decision?

I think you have to accept VAR and the stoppages, uncertainty and unsatisfactory outcomes it provides or you don't have VAR at all. I'd favour the latter.

Lengthy bans should be dished out to players who clearly cheat to win penalties or score goals and clubs should be fined or perhaps even disqualified or docked points in extreme situations. For example, Watkins should now be banned for say 5 games and Brentford fined an appropriate sum for the level they play at for bringing the game into disrepute.

if you make the risks of cheating extreme, you should then incentivise clubs and players to better protect the integrity of the game. I'd rather focus on that than focus on blaming officials who should be doing their best to make the right decisions in real time and who face immense criticism when the vast majority of decisions are still subjective even after the nth slow motion replay.

I think that would be far more effective at improving the integrity of the game and that could be applied consistently across certainly the top five divisions and European and International tournaments if all governing bodies agreed.

 

[Super_horns]

If it was instant, and someone watching a tv can direct the ref to make a decision, that might work. But what does "obvious" mean? And which decisions will be made by VAR?
.

Its supposed to be pretty quick in theory if used well.

Agreed though a lot of decisions are subjective like a handball and close offside - its meant to be for the real howlers but how many do you get in a game I guess is the question?

My worry is we will see fans/players and management demand VAR for any minor incident which as you say certainly won't help the flow or enjoyment of the game.

 

[Laker]

Last night was clear cut but the vast majority of decisions are not. Where a penalty is not given, do you stop play to check or do you allow the game to continue and then pull it back if someone else decides that a penalty should have been awarded, or that the ref needs to have a look to decide whether to change his own decision?

I think you have to accept VAR and the stoppages, uncertainty and unsatisfactory outcomes it provides or you don't have VAR at all. I'd favour the latter.

Lengthy bans should be dished out to players who clearly cheat to win penalties or score goals and clubs should be fined or perhaps even disqualified or docked points in extreme situations. For example, Watkins should now be banned for say 5 games and Brentford fined an appropriate sum for the level they play at for bringing the game into disrepute.

if you make the risks of cheating extreme, you should then incentivise clubs and players to better protect the integrity of the game. I'd rather focus on that than focus on blaming officials who should be doing their best to make the right decisions in real time and who face immense criticism when the vast majority of decisions are still subjective even after the nth slow motion replay.

I think that would be far more effective at improving the integrity of the game and that could be applied consistently across certainly the top five divisions and European and International tournaments if all governing bodies agreed.

I agree with this post and have been saying something similar for a few years now. If you take the Premier League, each game should be “re-reffed” in retrospect and every single diving occurrence identified and punished. First dive = 1 game ban, 2nd dive = 2 game ban etc. I’d end up banning players for half a season in the end! But you’d stamp out diving and the culture that goes with it. That would then filter down the leagues and football would be a much better sport for it.