EFL Referee Bobby Madley Criticizes VAR Impact on Football Emotion

Referee Bobby Madley, who officiates in the English Football League and serves as a fourth official in Premier League matches, has openly expressed his strong dislike for VAR technology, arguing that it detracts from football's emotional impact. Madley highlighted that iconic moments like Sergio Aguero's 2012 title-winning goal, celebrated immediately by players and fans, would never occur again due to the delays caused by VAR checks. He appreciates that the EFL does not use VAR during regular season games, allowing for a more spontaneous and emotional experience compared to the Premier League. Madley also noted that the adoption of VAR is largely driven by the commercial pressures in football, where any refereeing mistake is seen as a financial risk by the sport's wealthy stakeholders. Despite acknowledging football as a billion-pound business where technology is inevitable, he believes most fans, players, and referees were not initially in favor of video technology. Ultimately, Madley feels VAR has created a situation where football's natural drama is compromised by prolonged waits, dulling the excitement for fans.