comms is certainly key

But I can't escape the overriding feeling that refs defer to VAR in a way that rugby refs don't defer to the TMO.

The TMO is very clear in the way it's assisting the ref - they get a clear instruction in, they give a clear answer back, 'you may award...' etc.

In football it just feels like VAR says 'I think you're wrong' and the ref thinks 'ah f**k, am I?' and is then pre-conditioned to see the mistake in his decision when reviewing it back.

And linked to this, refs (and linos) seem to be letting some things go on the basis that if they are wrong, VAR will pick it up.

Football seems to have moved away from the ref being the one calling the shots which, when coupled with the lack of any explanation from VAR, leads to a deeply unsatisfactory experience for fans. (Whether or not VAR is getting it right more often than not.)

Posted By: CWC, May 30, 09:18:33