VAR gave the green light to the goal, but it is a retired top referee, Keith Hackett, who claims it should have been considered as implicit. If a player is closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball, and the second last defender, usually it is the last defender, along with the goalkeeper, he is offside. The goal is disallowed if the player receiving the ball in that position ensures, according to sources.
VAR to the Rescue? The Video Assistant Referee
The Video-Assistant-Referee, or in short VAR, has been mainly put in place to ensure that the referees are making the right calls. The VAR can be thought of as a third referee physically present on the field. But virtually following the game through the television monitor with no limit on the number of replays and angles. The VAR is the only one who can look at the situation from all angles and then inform the main referee. If he is mistaken in his decision. In this case, VAR was scrutinizing the goal incident to find out whether or not the Sunderland player was offside.
Did VAR Fail? Keith Hackett’s Offside Call on Sunderland’s Chelsea Triumph
He still regards the Sunderland player to be offside when he gets the ball. In his view, the VAR officials have not spent enough time looking at the incident. That is the reason for the wrong conclusion.
This is an important issue since the goal that is being contested was the winning goal. Thus, it determined the match! An offside goal scenario would have led the game to a draw and a point for each team.
Authors Opinion
The VAR ruling will be the center of attention for the time being among the football specialists. The fans who will debate the truthfulness of the final verdict. It is undeniable that this situation has captivated the whole football community, and maybe the discussions resulting from it will go on for years.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
