Dean and VAR

McArthur v Griezmann

I’m genuinely baffled by the interpretation of the laws of the game and how inconsistent the philosophy behind the use of VAR is.

Griezmann gets red against Liverpool, harshly in my view for trying to cushion the ball at a height deemed dangerous. He’s looking at the ball and appears not to see or notice Firmino there or coming in. But you can see what he’s trying to do and if he was really swinging his leg and connected, Firmino would have had his head cracked open like Jimenez or Cech. And this is where I thought the ref was a bit too quick to show red but it happens. I’m amazed he was not asked to review it, that there was not the slightest element of doubt with the VAR officials and it appears they took the strictest interpretation and decided that there was no clear and obvious error.

Contrast this with McArthur’s “tackle” on Saka that would not look out of place in Sonny Corleone’s “chastisement” of his brother-in-law. Dean showed a yellow card, which meant he had a view of the incident. I’d be charitable and say perhaps from his angle, that’s what it looked like, a horribly mistimed clearance.

But I would have to say that maybe Dean got the only angle where it does not appear like McArthur was determined to hurt Saka. From all the replays I saw, Saka was clearly in McArthur’s sights, and clearly some part of Saka’s body was in the way and clearly if McArthur swung his leg in that manner he was going to clean Saka out. Dean could have shown a red and then allow VAR to check. Or he could have asked VAR to check anyway?

But even if Dean could not, or did not check with VAR, I’m appalled that those in the VAR room watched all the replays and did not ask Dean to take a look.

And here is the confusion. Does intent matter? If it does, Griezmann was hard done by in my view. If it does not, McArthur should be serving a 3-game ban.

Tired (of Dean and VAR) Gooner