Human error

Here in Spain, they don't use goal line technology - which has been accepted elsewhere. Over in England, they haven't utilised the semi-automated offside system. Some claim that officiating is better in the Champions League and at the World Cup finals. There's a reason: they use every device available to them. I'd imagine a century ago that there were opponents to refs using whistles. "Why can't they just shout out their decisions? The game has gone," exclaimed the Victorians.

Originally I was an opponent of technology to officiate sport. Why should it be different in a stadium compared to a local park. I've accepted that they're now two completely different spheres.

The controversy in England is over a wrongly disallowed Liverpool goal against Spurs. It came down to human error; it came down to playing with technology instead of fully utilising what's available. If the 'semi-automated' system had been applied, there wouldn't be the same room for human error.

Zoom

It's also time for better communication. The last people to be given a reason for a decision are the paying public inside the stadium - and often the players too. Most stadia have big screens - let's take a leaf from the NFL and have the official communicate the decision to the crowd, not just the TV audience.

I learned more about American football by listening to the decisions of the referee. There was a hush in the stadium during the explanation and the crowd listened to the reasoning, rather than just guessing at what witnessed.

As a commentator, I'm often privy to the discussions between the VAR team and the on-field officials - it's all very odd. It's like a bunch of teenage mates all trying to decide how to approach someone for the last dance at the disco - nervous, pally chat. They're a nervous wreck, afraid of saying the wrong thing. Countless times I've had a ref ask me post-game if they "got it right". My answer is always the same: "It had to be right because that's what you gave".

I can't write much about the ongoing case here in Spain, but the defence is that clubs do scouting reports on referees - of course, they do. Some refs are flattered when a superstar calls them by the first name; others see through it. Some will allow the first foul free; others like to impose themselves early by booking the first offender.

You'd expect professional footballers and managers to understand the laws of the game. The tell-tale sign they haven't got a clue when they call them "rules". Having sat my referees' course three times now (I know - I'm a glutton for punishment), I can confirm that you need a unique type of personality to officiate a football match.

They may be a little odd, but let us respect the referees, there wouldn't be a game without them. Maybe it should be like jury service and everyone should face the prospect of reffing a game?