Sir, – A recent opinion poll by soccer supporters revealed the nuisance value of video assistant referees (VAR) in taking too long to reach decisions (“Football is better off without Var, 91% of fans say in new survey”, Sport, March 30th).
The main issue with VAR is the lack of communication with spectators at a match as a decision is being reviewed. Viewers at home have no issue and participate in the process as they listen to the commentators’ opinions while the different angles being analysed are shown on their TV screens.
A lesson from rugby can easily resolve the communications issue. An immediate conversation between the referee and VAR and broadcast across the stadium gets the spectators involved in what is being reviewed. They will then be equally enthusiastic as the supporters at home in getting to the right decision – at least for those who are to gain.
The early rounds of the FA Cup were played without VAR and exposed the many fouls that escaped detection. The refereeing errors later faced intense media scrutiny and a backlash on social media. Despite the supporters’ opinion poll and with high-definition technology advancing so fast, turning back the clock on VAR in top-tier football looks a fantasy. – Yours, etc,
RM Block
KEVIN MCLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – Today (March 30th) The Irish Times printed the football league tables of every division in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You printed only the first division in Ireland. No league table for our domestic league. Not the first time The Irish Times has done this and unfortunately not the last. Your treatment of our league is a disgrace to the “paper of record”. – Yours, etc,
SHEA CARROLL,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8.
