The sporting industry is beginning to see significant change thanks to technology. This includes technology to record data, analytics and even being used to increase accuracy during the scoring process of games. While technology is helping to improve the industry it's also causing controversy. Especially when technology isn't 100% reliable. One area in particular where we see this is using VARs (video assistant referees) in Brazilian football.
This technology has recently sparked some debate especially when it comes to two of Brazil's biggest football clubs Flamengo and Corinthians. These two teams have found themselves receiving an unusually high number of VAR reversals. So let's take a closer look at VAR reversals and the controversy that's surrounding these two teams.
The Use of VAR in Brazil
VAR is a video assistant referee. The technology has been designed to assist the referee but only in certain events like during a clear error or a serious missed incident. VARs have access to independent match footage and can advise a referee on decisions related to goals, no goals and other moments in a match. The technology uses cameras to track the position of the ball and all the players. It can provide instant replays of plays. VAR was introduced into Brazilian football back in 2019 to improve the accuracy of refereeing decisions.
The technology itself has been used all around the world in several different football leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, Euros and the FIFA World Cup. VAR was supposed to assist officials when it came to reviewing potentially controversial moments, helping to come out with a more accurate decision and helping to eliminate mistakes being made. The idea is to ensure that decisions are fair.
However, since VARs were implemented in Brazilian football there has been a lot of controversy surrounding it. It has raised more questions than it has answered. The Premier League is starting to try out different technology, could Brazil be behind them?
Flamengo and Corinthians
Flamengo and Corinthians are two of the most successful and popular football clubs in Brazil, they are also two teams that have experienced several VAR controversies and reviews. Over the past few seasons, Flamengo has had several decisions overturned after a VAR review. Which in some cases has impacted the overall games. This has caused a huge outcry for both the team, its players and its fans. Particularly fans who have placed sports wagers. Which is very common in Brazillian football, especially with welcome promotions at Stake.com.
Some common issues with VAR for the team include goals being ruled out for marginal offside calls or for contentious handball decisions that were only visible through video evidence. In the 2023 season in particular Flamengo has been involved in several high-profile matches where VAR decisions have changed the outcome of the game. A notable instance is when Flamengo went up against Internacional back in 2023.
Flamengo appeared to have scored what could have been the match-winner but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review. The decision was made based on a close-offside call. Which completely changed the outcome of the game, causing Flamengo to lose. There are several forums online where football fans go to discuss these reviews and their opinions on how fair they are.
The Corinthians have also been victims of VAR reversals, which have left both players and fans questioning the fairness of VAR reversals. There have been numerous times that the Corinthians have been left feeling wronged or that a reversal has been unfair. A key moment for the team was last year when Bruno Mendez was given a red card after a VAR review notified the referee to take a second look. The player initially received a yellow card. But after the review, he received a red card and was then sent off the pitch. This caused a huge outcry from fans as well as some of the Corinthian's staff which led to director of football and ex-player Alessandro Nunes storming the VAR room. This is just only one example where VAR has impacted the game for the team.
Both teams have had a negative experience with VAR, however, they are not the only ones. Many teams from around the world have had bad experiences too. The introduction of the technology was supposed to make games more fair and outcomes more accurate.
However, all it's done is raise questions and cause controversy in the industry as a whole including the Premier League. It's caused a divide in the Brazilian football industry, as well as around the world. While new technologies are bound to come with teething issues, it's clear that VAR is continuing to cause issues for teams and players.
With these questions, it's clear that there needs to be a change with VAR. Especially as it won't be long before both fans and players start looking for football institutions to act. With the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 coming up next year. It will be interesting to see if they continue to use VAR. Especially after the controversy it has caused over the past couple of years.
