VAR and the World Cup Revisited: Handball Edition
The controversial handball decision in the final exemplifies the potential benefits and failings of VAR. Whether we like it or not, controversy is part of the game. As we covered in great detail last time, the referee is given significant leeway in determining what is and is not a foul. One referee’s dive is another’s stone-cold pen. One ref’s decision to wave “play on” is another’s foul or card.
And as we know from experience, what some might call ball-to-hand, other’s might call handball (though, seemingly, never against Liverpool). This distinction was brought into focus during the last few minutes of the first half, with the game on level terms. France’s Blaise Matuidi rose to head a corner goalward, only to be deflected behind by Ivan Perisic’s hand. Argentinian referee Nestor P...