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VAR Time Limits: Could a clock improve football?

BBC Sport •
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Lengthy VAR checks are frustrating fans, with delays of several minutes becoming commonplace in the Premier League. The delays disrupt the flow of games, leading to calls for a time limit on reviews. However, introducing a clock could lead to more errors.

A time limit could potentially lead to incorrect decisions. Consider the example of Darwin Nunez's goal for Liverpool, where a crucial angle showing the ball hitting his chest was only found after a lengthy review. A time constraint could have wrongly disallowed the goal, raising more controversy.

Football figures such as Danny Murphy have also raised concerns about the impact of the VAR's extended reviews on the game's spectacle. There's a debate about whether the potential time saved is worth the risk of more mistakes. Some favor fewer, but correct final decisions, even if it takes longer.

Ultimately, finding a balance is key. While the Professional Match Game Officials (PMGO) insist that reviews are getting quicker, the fan experience suggests otherwise. Maybe the VAR team could be made more aware of the time, without there being a hard limit. The goal is to correct decisions, not to over-referee the game.