Former England striker Alan Shearer believes refereeing standards are declining because of the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). Speaking on Match of the Day, the pundit suggested that officials have become overly reliant on technology to correct their decisions on the pitch.
Shearer argued that the presence of a video review system provides a safety net that encourages less decisive officiating. He noted that the constant interruptions and long delays for reviews are negatively impacting the flow of matches. Other pundits have echoed these concerns, noting that the "clear and obvious" threshold remains inconsistent, according to Sky Sports.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has previously defended the system, citing an increase in the percentage of correct decisions. However, Shearer maintains that the human element of the game is being lost to technical scrutiny. The Premier League continues to review its implementation of the technology following ongoing criticism from managers and supporters, per The Guardian.
