There are few topics more divisive in professional soccer than the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The replay system was designed to prevent glaring, match-changing errors. But instead, we’ve seen it used to scrutinize things like offside decisions by mere centimeters.
And when a glaring, match-changing error does actually happen, VAR often fails to serve its purpose.
That couldn’t have been more clear than the puzzling decision at the end of the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League matchup against Wolves on Tuesday.
When Wolves’ Willian José made a run at goal, he fell to ground after an apparent foul by Arsenal’s David Luiz. The referee was quick to show Luiz a red card, awarding Wolves a penalty. But replays quickly made that decision look awfully harsh.
rofl they issued a red for this pic.twitter.com/RsSCDRYM1R
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) February 2, 2021
Upon review, the backswing of José’s foot sort of made contact with Luiz’s knee. But it wasn’t an intentional contact — more so just two people running naturally. And José’s delayed fall to ground certainly made the entire foul look suspect, at best.
But what did VAR do? It confirmed the call in seconds. Just like that, Wolves converted on the penalty and went into halftime tied at 1-1. Fans could not believe the decision.
This was them checking the VAR on that david Luiz red pic.twitter.com/mhOHMBjvIf
— Aaron West (@oeste) February 2, 2021
bUt VaR wIlL mAkE tHe PrEmIeR lEaGuE bEtTeR! pic.twitter.com/XkhHAtlYVI
— Dylan Walsh (@dylanwalsh_) February 2, 2021
Red Card. No card. pic.twitter.com/MzhXapuU7P
— . (@PepenelIi) February 2, 2021
Just saw a replay of the penalty. That's such a harsh red card. He's just running, not even attempting to tackle/foul. Totally accidental.
Yet, if he'd hacked him down while attempting to go for the ball, it would only have been a yellow. Madness.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) February 2, 2021
The contact that ended up with David Luiz’s red card. pic.twitter.com/I5yQQYHh7z
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) February 2, 2021
David Luiz got sent off for this because of his reputation NOT because he deserved the red card is the narrative now. Wow. pic.twitter.com/1UfsAcf0vk
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) February 2, 2021
47:42 on the clock and they give a red card for this?
How am I supposed to believe refs have no biases? https://t.co/TpNl91az0r
— James. (@afcjxmes) February 2, 2021
To make matters worse for Arsenal, Wolves would take the lead with a João Moutinho goal in the 49th minute.
