Sir Alex Ferguson predicted VAR issues back in 2005 – but had perfect solution
Sir Alex Ferguson was great at many things during his time as Manchester United manager, but a soothsayer? That's a new one.
VAR has became the bane of every football fan's existence in recent years and many are kicking themselves after clocking that Ferguson predicted as much, 16 years before the technology was introduced in the Premier League. The legendary Scot accurately anticipated that a video review system would slow the game down, but offered up a nifty solution that supporters think would work brilliantly.
Speaking after his side's 0-0 draw with Tottenham in January 2005, in which Pedro Mendes was infamously denied a late winner after United keeper Roy Carroll spilled his shot a couple of yards over the line, Ferguson said "progress must me made" with regards to technology, but warned that overuse of it could ruin the sport.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker changes his mind on VAR as Match of the Day star admits 'I got it wrong'
READ MORE: Premier League changes to VAR could result in matches lasting as long as two hours
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"My contention about in the past has been that it would take too long," Ferguson said. "It's a winter game. People in the terraces are sitting and waiting for something to happen, and waiting for the referee to go way across the touch line, make a decision, look at it. It could take a couple of minutes."
He added: "The Bologna coach [Carlo Mazzone] made a good point. If you can't make a decision in 30 seconds, the game carries on."
What you make of Fergie's '30 seconds' suggestion? Let us know in the comments section below.
"Love this idea," one X user said in response to the unearthed footage, "looking at an incident for over 30 seconds shows it isn't 'clear and obvious' so the game should move on." Another said: "Fergie bang on the money. The 30 second rule would be such a good solution. Let the game flow." A third beamed: "Genius. His opinions age like a fine wine."
There's no question that Ferguson was right about the game being slowed down. A whopping 21 minutes of injury time were added on during Chelsea's 4-1 win over Tottenham last month after five goals were ruled out by a series of lengthy VAR checks. Stats also showed that the ball was in play for just 43% of the game due to all the stoppages.
Mendes' goal that never was in 2005 was a key driver in bringing goal-line technology, and eventually VAR, to the table. The Spurs midfielder ballooned a shot at goal from the half-way line after Carroll had run out to clear a loose ball, and although the Northern Irishman made it back to his goal in time, the ball spilled out of his hands and bounced a good two or three feet over the line.
He then leaped backwards and clawed the ball away, but much to the bemusement of everyone in the stadium, and indeed everyone watching on TV, the linesman didn't give the goal. The gaffe immediately went down as, and remains to this day, one of the worst refereeing decisions in Premier League history.
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