Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong has spoken out against VAR as the Hoops get set to use it for the first time.
The technology will be in place when Celtic travel to Copenhagen this week. That’s because Celtic are now in the latter stages of the Europa League, with our trip to Denmark kickstarting our last-32 tie.
VAR is used in many leagues across the globe, but it’s still to be introduced in Scotland. The Premier League in England has been using it for the first time this season, with many angry at some of the tedious nature of the decisions. Only last night, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard slammed decisions that went against his side vs Man Utd (BBC).
And Frimpong, speaking to the BBC, has stated that VAR isn’t for him either.
“I’m not really a big fan of VAR. It’s not going to bother me but I’m not a fan of it. A part of your body can be offside. I don’t know. It just ruins the game.
“Obviously if it does come in here then we’ll have to deal with it. You’re celebrating and then you’ve got to wait for the video and you’re just waiting and waiting. If it says it’s a goal then you’re going to be happy but it’s just dead.
“I think so (VAR takes away from the entertainment). Because if you score a goal then that should be it. You shouldn’t celebrate a goal and then wait for it to see if it went in.”
Frimpong correct to highlight goal celebrations
This is something that hasn’t been spoken about much, but Frimpong makes a great point regarding goal celebrations.
So many players can be made to look foolish with their celebrations, and it can be quite embarrassing for players to wheel away enjoying their goals only for it to be pulled back.
Whilst there is a clear argument to say that doesn’t matter, it does when it’s an inch of someone’s boot that’s offside. At times there is no advantage to the striker – you can see why so many players get frustrated with the system down south.
Ideally, the referee would be able to go up to a monitor on the side of a pitch and check for himself. That’s how it’s done in the MLS and that’s also how it will be done in Thursday’s game in Denmark.
There is a form of VAR that will be good for the game. At the end of the day it doesn’t let players get away with as much and can be used to stop goals that should never be given. The idea has to be backed.
However, with plenty of frustrations still evident regarding it, there are still some tweaks to be made before it becomes universally liked.
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