The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system once again found itself at the center of controversy during this week’s UEFA Champions League matches. Two high-profile penalty decisions — one involving Arsenal and the other Aston Villa — have reignited the debate about the consistency and effectiveness of VAR in elite soccer.
Arteta Incensed by Penalty Drama in Inter Defeat
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming after his side’s 1-0 loss to Inter Milan, with two key refereeing decisions going against the Gunners. In the 28th minute, Arsenal’s Mikel Merino appeared to be caught in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer as they challenged for a cross. Despite the contact, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs waved play on, much to Arteta’s disbelief.
To add insult to injury, Merino then conceded a penalty at the other end in first-half stoppage time for a handball that many deemed harsh. Hakan Çalhanoglu converted the spot-kick to seal the win for Inter. A visibly angry Arteta did not hold back in his post-match comments:
“I don’t understand [the handball decision]. There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK. They decide that is a penalty,” he vented. “But if that is a penalty then the one on Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty 1,000%. These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.”
– Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Sommer Challenge on Merino: Penalty or Not?
The incident involving Sommer and Merino is the type of subjective call that often sparks debate. While goalkeepers have a right to challenge for the ball, they must also be mindful of the safety of opposing players. Sommer did appear to make contact with Merino’s head, but the VAR deemed it to be within the bounds of normal football contact rather than reckless or dangerous play.
Many pundits and fans argued that similar incidents have resulted in penalties in the past, especially in UEFA competitions where the threshold for fouls is generally lower. The inconsistency in such decisions is a major source of frustration for players, coaches, and supporters alike.
Merino Handball: The Letter of the Law
The handball rule has undergone several tweaks in recent years, but it remains a contentious area of the game. By the current laws, Merino’s handball was correctly punished. His arm was in a raised position and blocked the path of the ball, meeting the criteria for a penalty in most competitions outside of the Premier League.
English football has taken a more lenient approach this season, with only one handball penalty awarded in 100 Premier League games so far. This is in stark contrast to other major leagues and UEFA competitions, where spot-kicks for handball are much more frequent. The discrepancy understandably leads to confusion and frustration for teams competing on multiple fronts.
Aston Villa’s Bizarre Handball Penalty Concession
In another peculiar incident, Aston Villa conceded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge after defender Tyrone Mings inexplicably picked up the ball in his own box. Mings, seemingly unaware that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had already played the ball, gifted Brugge a spot-kick that Hans Vanaken converted for the game’s only goal.
While the penalty was indisputable, some questioned why Mings was not shown a second yellow card for deliberate handball, having already been booked earlier in the match. The VAR check was lengthy, but ultimately Mings stayed on the pitch, perhaps fortunate to avoid a sending off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
VAR Consistency Under Scrutiny Once More
These controversial calls have once again shone a spotlight on the lack of consistency in VAR application across different competitions. What might be a penalty in a UEFA match may not be given in a Premier League game, and vice versa. This variability often puts teams at a disadvantage when they transition from one competition to another.
Until there is greater alignment in the interpretation of the laws across all leagues and competitions, the VAR system will continue to draw criticisms. The on-field referees make their decisions based on their understanding of the protocols in their own leagues. But then the VAR is expected to apply a different standard, leading to confusion and controversy.
Fundamentally, the game is crying out for clearer, more consistent rules that are applied universally at the elite level. Whether that means more handball penalties like in UEFA competitions, or fewer like in the Premier League, is a matter for debate. But the status quo of wildly divergent interpretations only serves to undermine the integrity of the VAR system and the sport as a whole.
The Quest for VAR Clarity Continues
As the football world continues to grapple with the implementation of VAR, nights like these showcase the work that still needs to be done. Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa have every right to feel aggrieved by the decisions that went against them, but they are just the latest in a long line of clubs to suffer from VAR’s teething problems.
For the sake of the game’s integrity and the sanity of all involved, let’s hope that the powers that be can find a way to bring more clarity and consistency to the VAR system sooner rather than later. Until then, expect more outrage, more controversy, and more managers holding their heads in disbelief on the touchline.
