Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecogloglou has been the latest to express his ire at the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. He went further to literally declare that it is “killing the game.” His remarks followed a heated game. He was roundly booed by travelling supporters when, in a bid to settle the game, he summoned Pape Matar Sarr to come on.
This weekend’s match was a real opportunity to shine the spotlight on Postecoglou’s team. All the drama on the pitch stemmed from the VAR technology that played a crucial role in this match. This time Postecoglou was critical of VAR. First, he says it breaks up the rhythm of the game and thus decreases the fun for fans. He added, “VAR is killing the game.” This is indicative of a larger sense among players and coaches alike that this technology – while immensely useful – is ruining the core competitive nature of the game.
In the second half of the match, Postecoglou made a controversial decision to sub on Sarr, an 18-year-old midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur. Some of the visiting supporters didn’t take kindly to the substitution. They answered back with boos at the manager. The weirdly angry reaction caused many to question Postecoglou’s judgment. Supporters vocally opposed his tactical decision during an important juncture in the match.
He faced a storm of criticism from fans for this, Postecoglou insisted that he was not influenced by their displeasure. He maintained a professional demeanor and focused on his team’s performance. The decision to bring on Sarr was a stroke of tactical genius. Many panned it, arguing that it was their biggest blunder.
Postecoglou’s remarks regarding VAR struck a chord with many across the football landscape. The manager highlighted concerns that the technology could disrupt the natural flow of play and lead to frustration among players and fans alike. He painted a picture of the central role technology now plays in contemporary football. He cautioned it must never become more important than the core tenants of the game.
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