The ongoing use of technology in football has been questioned after VAR generated more headlines than the action in two recent high-profile games.

In truth, the use of Video Assistant Referees has caused all sorts of rows in the Premier League this season, with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Liverpool involved in major controversies, even prompting apologies in the wake of glaring errors on the pitch and at Stockley Park, the VAR headquarters.

Even clubs outside the top-flight, like Coventry City, have been on the receiving end of VAR decisions following their FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester United, and that match has been seized upon as clear evidence of why the technology is not working.

He says: “Having watched the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Coventry, I am more convinced now than ever that technology in football is no longer a help but a hindrance.

“In any other generation the offside decision judged by VAR would have been viewed as level. Even with the electronic lines that are supposed to provide the viewing public with an element of certainty, the neutral observer was left feeling no advantage by the Coventry player had occurred – and all we could actually see was a sense of injustice.

“Meanwhile, the headline from Goodison Park in the match between Everton and Nottingham Forest was all about the person operating the technology.

“The reality is that much of the technology used in football is undermining the game while slowly and painstakingly dismantling its precious traditions. Celebrations muted, no-one knows what a handball or offside is any more and as for penalties, no-one has a clue.

United surrendered a 3-0 lead at Wembley and were saved from a humiliating exit in extra time only by a VAR intervention when Haji Wright was deemed to be offside, ruling out what would have been Victor Torp’s last-gasp winner for the Sky Blues.

Forest, meanwhile, issued an extraordinary statement on social media immediately after their 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park claiming their had been denied three clear penalties and saying they had “warned” match officials body PGMOL that VAR for the game Stuart Attwell was a fan of their relegation rivals Luton Town. The club is still awaiting the outcome of an FA investigation into their outburst.

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