World Cup: Are the players or VAR the real protagonists?

As the World Cup approaches its conclusion, refereeing decisions have become a focal point of intense scrutiny and protest. The semi-final stage features powerhouse teams, promising thrilling matches between France and Spain, and England and Argentina. However, the focus has been drawn away from the purely sporting aspect due to persistent controversies surrounding officiating.

One after another, refereeing decisions have raised questions. The chip technology within the ball, designed to detect minute details like a hair's breadth, has led to offside calls and disallowed goals. A notable instance involved a match against Portugal where a goal was disallowed based on a marginal offside call.

In a quarter-final match between England and Norway, a controversial incident occurred when Norway took a 1-0 lead just before halftime. The ball clearly touched the overhead wire of the Spider-Cam after a throw-in, altering its trajectory. Despite the visible deflection, VAR did not intervene, and Norway's lead was nullified, significantly impacting the game's dynamics. The Norwegian coach vehemently protested the decision.

Further controversy arose in the Argentina vs. Switzerland match. A foul by Haaland on Anderson was identified after a VAR review, leading to the disallowance of Norway's 2-1 lead. The article questions the consistency of applying such rules, suggesting that fouls occurring before a set-piece should be handled differently. The author personally believes Haaland's foul was correctly penalized but questions whether similar strictness will be applied in the semi-finals.

The article also touches upon the expulsion of Breel Embolo in the Argentina-Switzerland game, noting that while the decision was harsh, it adhered to clear directives given to teams before the tournament regarding hand play and simulation. The piece concludes by questioning whether the players or the VAR system are ultimately the main protagonists of this World Cup.