Referee boss makes scathing VAR claim as Liverpool involved in controversies

UEFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Roberto Rosetti has warned that soccer has forgotten the original purpose of VAR and that microscopic video checks are taking the love out of the game

UEFA Head of Referees Roberto Rosetti during a media briefing(Image: Getty Images)

UEFA's head of referees has warned that soccer has "forgotten the reason why VAR was introduced."

Roberto Rosetti, a former World Cup official, believes video technology reviews have become excessively "microscopic" and risk diminishing supporters' passion for the sport. The Premier League is currently experiencing criticism from supporters frustrated by the frequency of VAR involvement, extended delays, and officiating standards. Liverpool has been involved in some VAR controversies this season, including a questionable decision given during a game against Manchester City.

When questioned specifically about the English top flight, Rosetti, UEFA's Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees Committee, chose to address the matter more broadly, despite having previously spearheaded a major VAR presentation in the capital.

Rosetti explained: "About the VAR intervention, I can tell you this: I believe that we forgot the reason why VAR was introduced.

"We forgot a little bit. Everywhere. You remember, eight years ago, I came to London. We discussed the 'what VAR stands for.' We spoke about clear mistakes.

"Why we spoke about clear and obvious mistakes. Because technology works so well in factual decisions. In objective decisions, it is fantastic. For interpretations, subjective evaluation is more difficult.

VAR has made 13 errors in the Premier League so far this season(Image: Getty Images)

"That's why we started to speak about clear and obvious mistakes - clear evidence.

"I believe that we need to, at the end of the season, again in our meetings, to speak about this. We cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR intervention. We love football like it is."

Rosetti, who oversees referees in UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and Euros, believes that by slowing down footage to "moviola" slow motion, numerous errors can be identified.

UEFA's chief referee official suggests discussions are necessary to curb the overuse of VAR and excessive checks, despite the initial widespread demand for it.

Rosetti explained: "We call this moviola. Have you ever heard this word? Is this this: when you are watching the situation with the super slow motion, you can find a lot of things.

"You said this, not me. You are guilty in some way, because also you pushed for more interventions.

"Where is VAR? Why VAR doesn't intervene? Why VAR is not involved? What are the VARs doing? But now we need to be careful about that. It can improve by speaking - we need to meet and fix."

The Premier League maintains that there are merely 0.15 on-pitch reviews per match - or just 0.27 including factual decisions - and that there are fewer checks than in the Champions League.