Gary Jacko

⚽ VAR, Tribalism and the Great Refereeing Excuse The reaction to Liverpool's defeat against Arsenal has exposed something deeply troubling about modern football. Supporters are so consumed by defending their own colours that the officials responsible for enforcing the laws escape the scrutiny they deserve. Arsenal fans have been quick to remind me that Trey Nyoni was fortunate to avoid punishment for his early challenges. Jurrien Timber's sustained shirt pull on Alexander Isak warranted a penalty. Both grievances deserve consideration. Both can be legitimate. Then came the extraordinary inconsistency surrounding Noni Madueke. Alexis Mac Allister undoubtedly exaggerated minimal contact, yet we've witnessed dismissals for similar confrontations. Mac Allister was booked, Timber received a caution for his involvement, Madueke escaped one despite already being booked. Where is the consistency? And what of Mac Allister's theatrics? Had Andoni Iraola, frustrated by Isak remaining upright despite being fouled, urged his players at half-time to make contact impossible for officials to ignore? We cannot know, but the possibility raises an uncomfortable question. Would such an instruction explain Mac Allister's reaction, even if it could never entirely excuse it? Must players now collapse theatrically before officials recognise an offence? Has football adopted cricket's appeals system, where justice depends upon the enthusiasm of the complainant? Even Andy Madley's apparent jovial exchanges with Arsenal players emerging for the second half raised eyebrows. Perhaps an entirely innocent moment, but such familiarity inevitably attracts attention when confidence in officiating is already fragile. Arsenal's defensive discipline deserves admiration, their gamesmanship considerably less. Yet Arsenal supporters bear no responsibility for refereeing decisions. Neither do Liverpool supporters. Their endless arguments and snipes at me and others on social media merely divert attention from those entrusted with applying the laws. VAR promised clarity and consistency. Instead, we have acquired another expensive layer of confusion, producing decisions that remain bewilderingly subjective. If technology cannot deliver meaningful improvement or accountability, football must seriously question what it has sacrificed to accommodate it.