Jamie Carragher Slams VAR for “Slowing Down” Footage
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has slammed the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for “slowing down” footage and not showing referees the correct angles when asked to go to the monitor. The Reds have appealed the decision to give Curtis Jones a red card for his challenge on Yves Bissouma in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, but Carragher doesn’t feel the appeal is likely to be successful.
Carragher: Referees Not Being Shown Proper Angles
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “My big problem was what the referee was shown when he went to the VAR monitor and how they got to that decision. People feel that the referee is going to the monitor to have a second look, this is not true, this doesn’t happen. He’s getting taken to the monitor to show why he’s made a mistake, we’ve got to get that into our heads with VAR.”
The first shot the official was shown at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a still photograph of Jones’ tackle during impact followed by a slowed-down version of what came before it. Carragher added that Hooper – and referees in general – should watch such incidents “in full speed” to allow them to give a considered account of what they have seen.
Carragher: I’m Sick of Things Being Slowed Down
“That should not be the first shot, I don’t believe that, and if the referee is going there to have a look he should watch the situation, for me, at full speed. I’m sick of things being slowed down,” he continued. “I just don’t like this idea when the referee goes to the monitor we think he’s having a look, he’s not, he’s getting told he’s got to change the decision. I don’t like that, I think you’ve got to let them look at it and make their minds up and give them the proper angles at full speed.”
Liverpool Appeal Red Card Decision
Liverpool launched their appeal at the decision to try and have Jones’ three-game ban overturned, but if the appeal is deemed ‘frivolous’ the suspension could be extended by an extra match. The midfielder is currently set to miss the clashes with Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest and an extension would also see him sit out the League Cup fourth round against Bournemouth.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen if Liverpool’s appeal will be successful or not, but Jamie Carragher has made his feelings clear on VAR and how referees are being shown incorrect angles when asked to go to the monitor. He believes that referees should be allowed to watch incidents in full speed and make their own decisions without being told to change their original call.