27 Jan 2026 09:25:43
EDD I have never asked before but is there any possibility of a poll.
Simple yes or no
Question.
Do you believe FIFA/UEFA should abolish video assistant referee in its entirety?
Thanks very much Edd.
{Ed033's Note -
VAR poll
27 Jan 2026 10:01:42
Aphelion, i voted for it to be abolished.
For me, it's spoiled the game.
27 Jan 2026 10:02:39
Yes. Refs know they don't have to make tough decisions, they know VAR will make it for them.
27 Jan 2026 10:05:02
Chrystal Palace (I think) hand ball was an example. The ref said play on when it was a clear penalty.
27 Jan 2026 10:16:36
I voted no it's a great tool if used properly.
27 Jan 2026 10:19:40
I said 'yes'.
Slows down games to an unacceptable degree, takes the joy from a goal when it has to be "checked by VAR", and they STILL don't always get it 100% correct.
Would be happy keeping the watch the ref has that buzzes when ball crosses goal line though.
27 Jan 2026 10:34:37
I have always advocated for it to be abolished.
I can understand 1 human error but cannot understand multiple humans making the same error.
27 Jan 2026 10:58:52
we don't have goal line technology though.
27 Jan 2026 11:02:47
Yes it has proven to be an al round failure.
27 Jan 2026 11:19:48
Get rid of it, i called it VIR when it started, " video instead of ref " it's definitely ruining football!
27 Jan 2026 11:46:29
I am in the get rid camp has not improved the game or removed contentious decisions if anything it has made it worse. Has ruined the game can't celebrate a goal now as there is always a VAR check we have more officials now than ever and we still get incorrect decisions.
27 Jan 2026 12:11:00
I was all for it at the start, thought it would eradicate the mistakes and the stuff the ref misses. But after having it a while and hearing things like, 'its more out than in', patter from officials, it clearly does not work.
I think I'd rather go back to how it was, mistakes and all to have a free flowing game and not something re officiated wrongly with its stop start nature.
27 Jan 2026 12:24:23
I think they need to look at how they use it. The factual stuff is fine but its the subjective stuff that is dubious, as you say multiple people getting decisions wrong is not an improvement. You can see up here how bad it is just because of the quality of the refs involved and even down south, VAR is getting worse and that reflects the fact the standard of refereeing is slipping.
In the CL it is generally quite good because its the top refs, except when its the two from England who always seem to be involved in some controversy which goes back to my earlier point. What UEFA/FIFA need to do, is forget more VAR involvement and concentrate on simplifying hand ball decisions so that all tournaments apply the rules the same.
27 Jan 2026 13:04:45
As the question is "in its entirety" I voted no - VAR needs to be stripped back and no used to re-referee games. The referee is human and can make mistakes. The rules of the game still state (as far as I know) that the referee is the final arbiter, but the VAR in some instances has taken over that role. It should be kept for yes/no decisions such as was the ball out, was the player offside etc. Using it because the VAR thinks there was a foul and the ref didn't isn't right in my view. A clear example of that kind of decision was the Trusty red card at the weekend, there is no fully correct answer as to whether it was a sending off offence (I would say yes) as shown by the differing views of ex refs turned pundits.
One thing I am sure we all agree on, it was supposed to be for clear and obvious errors, so if the VAR can't make a decision inside 20 seconds, it's neither clear nor obvious.
Apologies for the long post.
27 Jan 2026 13:17:51
I voted yes.
For the simple reason, VAR isn't the issue. It's the poor standard of referees analysing the footage.
27 Jan 2026 13:59:27
I voted no as storm said VAR if used correctly is great and with Fifa trialling new technology at the world cup, it won't be too long before it is all AI operated and has near instant results instead of the massive delays it normally brings.
27 Jan 2026 14:16:44
I've not voted but it would be a no. I don't believe var is used correctly. Offside rule should be changed. If any part of his torso head or feet are in line with the player then no offside. Advantage to the attacker as we all like goals. Any other var check the ref goes to the monitor straight away.
Then he discusses it with var speeding up the game. Any clear and obvious wrong desicion in the game then var quickly tells the ref and the ref reverses his desicion. Whole var thing needs to be quicker.
27 Jan 2026 14:41:23
Ruined the game for fans, watch some championship games in England where fans can celebrate goals instantly with a fly look at linesman, don't care if the odd goal is marginally offside or a foul 5 mins before a ball hits the net, don't think Var has benefitted or not over the last couple of seasons but it sure has ruined my match day experience.
27 Jan 2026 15:40:00
Geese - I'd have no problem with that piece of tech.
27 Jan 2026 15:42:14
Agreed Cooper, enjoyed watching Sunderland without it.
27 Jan 2026 15:46:52
People that want rid of it would change their mind if we lost a title or cup on the last day with a dodgy decision that var would rectify it. There is absolutely no chance of football getting rid of it maybe smaller nations like Norway etc… who don't want it maybe even Scotland but it will always be here for ever more in the top Leagues.
27 Jan 2026 19:02:43
I voted yes no buzz now watching your bets nearly every goal checked now for something.