The VAR problem: Why doesn’t it work in the Premier League?

Video Assistant Referee has been at the forefront of more Premier League action over the past few weekends, creating more doubt that the technology works in football.

In an attempt to fix the technology, Video Assistant Referees have to be more proactive in challenging officials following more scandalous decisions.

According to bbc.co.uk, Premier League Referee Chief Howard Webb said: "We are asking VARs to have a look, and if they don't like the decision, ask the referee what they saw."

One controversial decision that was looked at was Hwang Hee-chan being incorrectly penalised for a foul on Newcastle's Fabian Schar during Wolves' 2-2 draw with the 'Magpies.'

On-field referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, but when VAR looked at the incident, it appeared that Schar had kicked the turf and fell over. VAR couldn't deem it 'Clear and Obvious,' so the decision on the field stood.

Yet this is the problem with VAR being in football because decisions are subjective. According to thetimes.co.uk, VAR Jarred Gillet said: "I don't think that's a clear error." While Howard Webb said: "This is a situation that reaches the threshold for being clear and obvious."

VAR was brought into the sport to make life easier for officials and to make dead certain of key decisions during a game. However, referees can't make their minds up on what's a key decision and what isn't.

Another issue with VAR in football is the 'Clear and Obvious error' judgment. What is clear and obvious? It isn't a law or a protocol, it's made up in real time based on an opinion and not a rule.

According to itv.com, in a recent 10,000-fan survey on VAR, 63.3 percent of supporters said they opposed VAR, and almost 92 percent said decisions were taking too long to make.

In Newcastle's controversial 1-0 win over Arsenal, Anthony Gordan's goal was given after VAR reviewed two potential offsides, whether the ball left the field of play, a handball, and a potential foul.

After the drawing of the offside lines and the analysis of the goal, it took four minutes for the referees to decide, ruining the moment for the fans, players and taking a sting out of the highly competitive game.

When Scott McTominay thought he had scored against Fulham, in real time, the goal looked perfectly good, with McTominay scoring in an onside position.

However, VAR ruled the referee to make his mind up on whether Harry Maguire (offside) was intruding on the free kick and infringing on the defender.

Thanks to VAR, the goal was ruled out for Manchester United as Maguire, whose shoulder was marginally offside, who didn't touch the ball, and may or may not have affected the defender's efforts to clear it, was enough to rule the goal disallowed.

The evidence at Premier League games and polls from fans show that VAR is ruining the game of football, compromising fan excitement, the flow of the game, and destroying the referee's job.

Most importantly, it's ruining the game for the managers and players. Do you think VAR will stay beyond this season in the Premier League?