Dr Ed Coughlan: Fewer errors go a long way to securing sport’s integrity

Soccer has embraced VAR and it has proved successful at the World Cup. Though it will take time for it to become a seamless part of the game, it must be seen as a positive development for the sport, writes Dr Ed Coughlan.

When you have two people playing a game, conflict is never far away over decisions about who is right and wrong and whose interpretation of the rules is more accurate. We do not need officials to complicate games; it appears that we are capable of doing it all on our own.

From a game of Jenga between siblings to an All-Ireland football final, when there are rules, there are decisions to be made that will no doubt affect the result, and that is when emotions and conflict make an appearance.