Alan Shearer Critiques VAR: Refereeing Standards Hit an All-Time Low
Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer has voiced strong criticisms regarding the current state of refereeing, stating that it has reached its "worst" level due to the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR). Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Shearer emphasized that referees are becoming overly reliant on VAR, which he believes is negatively impacting their performance and the overall quality of officiating. This discussion gains momentum following the controversial 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester United on Friday. In that match, Harry Maguire received a red card for a foul on Evanilson while United was leading 2-1. This decision raised questions as it occurred just ten minutes after Amad Diallo was denied a penalty for a comparable incident at the opposite end. Michael Carrick, United's boss, expressed his confusion over the inconsistency of the calls, stating, "How can the referee give one and not the other?" Shearer concurred, highlighting the baffling nature of the decisions: "You should have given a penalty when you gave two like that." The ongoing debate over VAR's effectiveness continues, with former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock declaring it the "worst thing that has been introduced to the game." Warnock noted that VAR has diminished the enjoyment of matches and created confusion for referees, asserting that it serves as a "safety blanket" for officiating. In light of these issues, UEFA has called a summit for the summer involving top leagues to reassess VAR's implementation, aiming to limit its use to only the most egregious errors. Earlier this year, Wolves put forward a resolution to the Premier League that led to a vote on whether to maintain VAR, which resulted in a decision to keep the technology in place despite concerns over potential increases in incorrect officiating decisions.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-21