Having dedicated over 50 years to football – as a player, coach, and manager in what I believe is the world’s greatest team sport – I have observed significant evolutions both on and off the pitch.
There is a reason why the legendary former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once famously declared that football was “the people’s game,” underscoring its deep connection with the fans.
Today’s supporters dedicate considerable sums of their hard-earned money to purchase season tickets, jerseys for their children, and travel across the country to support their team.
Therefore, when I was invited to share my insights on what improvements I would suggest for contemporary football, I aimed not to overhaul the sport entirely. Instead, I focused on adjustments that would directly benefit the fans.
My primary concern is the increasing prominence of referees and VAR, which seem to overshadow the game itself.
To begin, VAR must be implemented with greater restraint. While video assistant referees are now a fixture, we need to refine their application.
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What if pundits could change one thing about football…
Television has profoundly reshaped our national sport over the past few decades, largely for the better.
It has injected substantial capital into infrastructure and enabled clubs to recruit some of the world’s most talented players. However, it is the extensive TV coverage, meticulous analysis, and constant punditry that have paved the way for VAR.
VAR was introduced to correct blatant and obvious refereeing errors, such as Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal against England or Thierry Henry’s handball, which led to France’s decisive goal against the Republic of Ireland in a 2010 World Cup play-off.
If used judiciously – for indisputable incidents – VAR could be an invaluable asset.
However, we are witnessing a concerning trend that warrants attention and, in my view, correction.
In my era, referees were considered successful if they remained unnoticed. Now, it is impossible to overlook them – equipped with microphones, chest-mounted video recorders, and even making announcements to the crowd.
Furthermore, the game is frequently paused while VAR scrutinizes even the most trivial incidents.
Every aspect is meticulously examined for infractions, which means that no goal can be celebrated wholeheartedly until it has been verified, with the looming presence of Stockley Park casting a shadow over stadiums.
The time expended on these reviews is excessive, to the point where it detracts from the integrity of the game in this country.
The crowd is currently left waiting while VAR makes a decision, for as long as it takes
How often do we observe a referral, quickly arrive at a conclusion ourselves after a single viewing, only to wait an additional two or three minutes – or more – for VAR to reach the same determination?
The first change I would implement is a two-minute limit for any referral to Stockley Park.
If a decision requires more time, it cannot be deemed “clear and obvious,” which is the prerequisite for VAR intervention.
Additionally, if the officials in the booth cannot make a determination within that timeframe, I believe they should not be there.
To that end, I would ensure that each booth includes a former professional – a former manager, coach, or player – alongside the replay operator, VAR, and assistant VAR. While the professional may not be an expert on the laws of the game, they would possess a deep understanding of the sport and its dynamics.
As director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), Howard Webb oversees the referees. He collaborates with Michael Owen on his TV program, and former referees like Mike Dean and Dermot Gallagher also participate in shows with former professional players.
Given their apparent camaraderie, let’s create a more balanced approach by including former players and other professionals in the decision-making process during games.
Time-keeping is another area I would modify. I propose that every game incorporate a clock that can be stopped for injuries, VAR reviews, and excessive time-wasting – at the referee’s discretion.
This would allow everyone in the stadium to accurately calculate the remaining time, eliminating the guesswork about added minutes at the end of the match.
I used to find this amusing during my time managing various Premier League clubs because, when we were winning against the top teams, there would invariably be more than five minutes added, but when we were losing to them, it was always less than three.
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Could a stopped clock end time-wasting in football?
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Referees are governed and directed by regulatory bodies, making them accountable for many of the aforementioned concerns. We must move away from the current situation where they have become excessively prominent.
We need to restore referees to their previous level of unobtrusiveness because, currently, the system has transformed officiating into a form of empire-building, leading to more discussions about VAR and refereeing decisions than about goals scored or conceded.
I sometimes sympathize with referees, as much of this is beyond their control. Recent amendments to the laws have made decisions far more complex than necessary.
For instance, following Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool on Sunday, the main topic of debate was Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal.
Under the traditional offside rule, Andy Robertson was undeniably offside, as he was beyond City’s defensive line.
However, the current interpretation of the law, with its emphasis on impacting play, line of sight, or interfering with the goalkeeper, allows a player to be deeper than the last defender and still be deemed onside.
Everything is overly subjective, placing the referee’s interpretation at the forefront.
A similar issue exists with the handball rule. I doubt anyone truly understands what constitutes handball anymore – the numerous variations in each decision make it nearly impossible for on-field referees or VAR to make accurate calls.
Overcomplicating matters has diminished the enjoyment of football, which I find unacceptable.
Let’s simplify things again, so we can reclaim our game and focus on goals, not refereeing decisions.
Tony Pulis was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
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