Video Assistant Referee: in football, as in war, sometimes we need a human touch

Over the past year or so, the Video Assistant Referee system, known as VAR, has been gradually rolled out to the world of football with the aim of improving the accuracy, and consistency, of refereeing decisions, writes Mike Ryder. However, its introduction has not been without controversy.

The current Women’s World Cup has been beset by issues, and there can be no escaping the public outcry at decisions that are deemed to be harsh, unfair or, in some cases, just plain wrong.