Former Premier League goalkeeper, Ben Foster has opened up about VAR following the decision that went against Aston Villa v Everton.
The Aston Villa game this weekend was filled with referee decision drama which has sparked plenty of conversation.
One of these was a potential penalty on Moussa Diaby which Alan Shearer suggested Everton were ‘very lucky‘ to avoid.
In the first half, Leon Bailey had an effort saved low down to his left by Jordan Pickford. Dominic Calvert Lewin then went through on goal but was denied by Emi Martinez.
Very late in the day, Jhon Duran had an effort which he flicked on at the near post but it just beat the far post.
The moment which caused plenty of controversy happened as Alex Moreno smashed home an effort from range. This saw VAR take a look and check the goal which is where the talking point began.
Ben Foster on VAR issues
Looking at the replay, fans watching at home were able to tell that Bailey was offside. As a result, fans had resigned to the fact it was being chalked off. It still took the VAR team three minutes and 45 seconds which wasn’t well received.
This sparked Ben Foster to discuss the officials on his YouTube show, The Football Fill In with Mark Goldbridge and Paul Robinson.
Discussing the moment, he said: “We’ve got to start with VAR lads. We have to start with VAR. Honestly, it’s just ruining it. He’s off and then it’s a foul as well. It was four minutes mate. If I was at that game and I was sitting there for four minutes, it just spoils it. It ruins it.”
Keeping the game paused for that long is highly frustrating to fans in and out of the stadium. It stops the flow of the game and is genuinely annoying to sit and wait for.
Foster isn’t a fan of the system in its current format given how long they take with every decision. It was the fans that the former England man felt for.
On that, he said: “Think about the 10-15,000 Aston Villa fans that are in that stadium who have paid good money to travel up to Everton. They’re buzzing and jumping around and going crazy. Then it sinks in two minutes later and they have to go, ‘Wait a minute, let’s just wait and see first.'”
Being in the stadium when VAR is in operation makes for less joy when a goal flies in. On any other day, a Moreno screamer would be met by limbs, but not so much anymore.
Foster finished off by saying: “The whole thing is horrible.”
This sums up VAR in its current form and application.
