VAR time limits could be considered for offside calls

Marginal offsides – and the time taken to make the calls – have led to intense criticism of VAR

An assistant referee flags for offside (Getty Images)

Time limits on marginal offside calls should be considered to maintain the flow of a match, according to the man who chaired the most recent meeting of football’s law-making body.

The introduction of VAR has put the offside law under greater scrutiny, with many players and pundits frustrated and confused by some of the borderline calls that have been made where sometimes only a player’s upper arm is ahead of the final defender.

The time taken to make those calls has also been a subject of criticism.

Kieran O’Connor, the president of the Football Association of Wales who chaired the annual general meeting of the law-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) last month, believes there are huge benefits to VAR but that common sense must play a part.

“With VAR now we’re coming down to bootlaces almost, and there has to be a degree of common sense,” O’Connor, a former referee, told the PA news agency.

“It’s not an easy area but it’s one we need to keep looking at and keep tweaking and eventually we’ll get there. Should you put a time limit on it? Possibly. It wasn’t discussed at the IFAB meeting but it’s been discussed in football more widely. If some part of the body is in front but the rest is behind [the defender], should it be allowed?”

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has previously said that VAR-related delays create “another layer of adrenaline” for fans.

O’Connor could become British football’s most senior administrator if he is elected as Britain’s Fifa vice-president by Uefa member associations at its Congress next Tuesday. He would replace former Football Association chairman Greg Clarke, who stood down last November.

O’Connor defended the work of the IFAB, which is often accused of being detached from the wider football world.

“IFAB are in touch [with football],” he said. “The laws are always going to need reviewing, but I think it’s the right body and I think it’s done reasonably well over the last couple of years.

“VAR works; it’s sometimes a little slow, but I think that will come in time.

“Fifa are looking at what I call the ‘Tesco Value’ version, which will come even further down the chain and make it financially available to more leagues.

“That can only help referees. They are only human and they give what they see, and the pace of the game is so quick.”

PA