VAR: Football’s Saviour or Just Another Nuisance? Have Your Say

Let’s be honest—if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already had a good moan about VAR at some point. We all have. It’s taken goals away for being an inch offside, turned celebrations into waiting games, and left fans scratching their heads in confusion. The days of instinctive, heart-in-mouth football are being replaced with slow-motion replays and drawn-out decision-making.

But here’s the thing—while VAR has been a source of frustration in the Premier League, the EFL has largely steered clear of it. Now, with discussions about introducing a ‘challenge system’ as a potential compromise, is it time we rethink our stance? Could some form of video assistance actually help clubs like Barnsley, or should we keep things as they are and leave VAR to the top flight? Let’s take a closer look.

What Exactly is VAR?

VAR, or Video Assistant Referee, is football’s attempt to cut out glaring errors by reviewing key moments through video replay. The idea is simple—referees can use it to double-check crucial decisions, such as goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.

But it’s not just one person reviewing the footage. There’s a whole team involved, including three assistant VARs (AVARs) who specialise in different aspects of the game—one watches the main camera feed, another focuses on offside calls, and the third ensures smooth communication between officials. Add in replay operators choosing the best angles, and suddenly it’s not just a ref in the middle making the decisions—it’s an entire production crew.

For lower leagues, the cost and complexity of VAR make it a non-starter. That’s why discussions are ongoing about a cheaper alternative—Football Video Support. This system, tested in the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup, would allow managers to challenge decisions, with a limited number of unsuccessful appeals per game. A middle ground between full VAR and no technology at all? Maybe.

VAR’s Hits and Misses in the Premier League

VAR has had its moments. We’ve seen bad calls overturned, like when Liverpool had a goal ruled out against Man City due to an offside spotted only by VAR. And in another case, Spurs had a dodgy penalty decision against Sheffield United reversed. When it works, it works well.

But for every correct decision, there’s a mess-up. Just ask Arsenal fans, who are still fuming about the time VAR failed to notice an offside in the build-up to a Brentford goal. The officials later apologised, but apologies don’t change the points table.

Even former players and pundits have questioned it. Gary Neville summed it up best: “Sometimes VAR feels like it’s adding confusion, not clarity.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Gary.

What’s the Situation in the EFL?

So far, the EFL has been reluctant to embrace VAR. Currently, it’s only used in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and final, along with the play-off finals. That means big moments in regular-season games can’t be reviewed, leaving fans to argue about injustices over a pint rather than seeing them corrected on-screen.

An EFL spokesperson recently commented: “The league continues to monitor developments in emerging technologies to support match officials. Any changes would require detailed discussion and approval from our clubs.” In other words, don’t expect VAR at Oakwell any time soon unless there’s a significant shift in thinking.

One alternative being considered is a challenge system, similar to the one trialled at the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup. Managers could request reviews of controversial decisions, but they’d have a limited number of unsuccessful challenges per match. For cash-strapped clubs in League One and Two, this could be a more affordable way of bringing in some level of video assistance without the full VAR setup.

Would VAR Help or Hinder Barnsley?

Now, let’s get to the important bit—what would VAR (or a challenge system) mean for Barnsley? There’s no denying it could be a game-changer. Imagine a massive promotion decider, and we score a last-minute winner, only for the linesman to flag it offside. Without VAR, we’d have to accept it and move on. With VAR? We might get that decision overturned and be heading back up the leagues.

But let’s not pretend it’s all sunshine and roses. Installing VAR costs a fortune, and those costs would inevitably trickle down to fans. Would you be happy paying more for tickets just to have more stoppages and delays? And let’s be honest—do we really want to see referees checking replays every five minutes at Oakwell?

For now, a challenge system might be a smarter option. It gives clubs the ability to contest big decisions without needing the full VAR setup, and it still keeps the human side of football intact. Whether it would be implemented properly is another question entirely.

The Final Whistle: Suggest poll answer (options

Football is supposed to be simple. It’s about passion, unpredictability, and the sheer joy (or agony) of seeing the ball hit the back of the net. While VAR promises fairness, it also risks sterilising the game we love.

That being said, technology is evolving, and maybe one day, we’ll find a system that works for everyone. Until then, we’ll leave it to the Premier League to deal with their pixel-perfect offsides and endless replays. Here in the EFL, we’ve got enough drama as it is.

So what do you reckon? Should VAR or a challenge system be introduced in the EFL, or is it just a waste of time and money? Cast your vote in our poll and have your say. After all, football belongs to the fans—let’s make sure our voices are heard.

Up the Reds!