"I think it is going to divide opinion" - Manchester United star Harry Maguire responds to calls to scrap VAR
Manchester United star Harry Maguire has stated that he does not want VAR removed from the Premier League. He believes that the technology needs to be used better but scrapping it should not be an option.
Speaking to The Sun, Maguire claimed that VAR was always going to divide opinions. However, he wants subjective decisions out of the picture and the technology used only for offsides from now. He said:
"I think it is going to divide opinion and a lot of people will want to keep it. Equally, the popular thing at the moment is to say get rid of it. It probably does need to be done better. The automated offsides are coming in next season and that will improve it. It will make things quicker. Personally, I would keep VAR but for offsides only. I would scrap it for everything that is opinion based. Offsides are factual and not subjective."
The Manchester United defender added:
"It is so difficult to lose a game on an offside goal when a player is two or three yards offside. Everyone makes mistakes, linesmen make mistakes, so that is why I would keep VAR for that. But I would not have it for red cards, or penalties because even now, people disagree if a decision is right or wrong."
Wolverhampton wrote a formal letter to the Premier League, asking for VAR to be scrapped from next season. Their official letter has triggered a vote next month at the Premier League AGM but The Athletic have reported that majority of clubs are unwilling to part ways with the technology.
Manchester United star reveals players' reaction to VAR
Harry Maguire has stated that there are a few players who want to get rid of VAR. The Manchester United defender claims that they are not happy with the delay in goal celebrations and said:
"Some players want to get rid of it. VAR offsides do kill goal celebrations a bit. In the back of your mind, players think whether or not it is a goal."
Fourteen of the 20 Premier League clubs need to vote in favor of scrapping VAR for the rule change. David Ornstein has reported that every big rule change requires 2/3 of the clubs in favor of it.