Couldn’t agree more, but I’d differ on one point. VAR is also largely a TV construct, pushed for by TV companies to provide more content for endless analysis and debate. What effect it has on the spectacle is given as little consideration as the effect of moving kickoffs on matchgoing fans, who as we know, don’t matter apart from when someone on TV decides it looks good for them to roll out the old ‘fans are the lifeblood of the game’ blarney. The game’s willingness to sell itself so completely and cede so much control to TV has been a massive mistake.
Couldn’t agree more, but I’d differ on one point. VAR is also largely a TV construct, pushed for by TV companies to provide more content for endless analysis and debate. What effect it has on the spectacle is given as little consideration as the effect of moving kickoffs on matchgoing fans, who as we know, don’t matter apart from when someone on TV decides it looks good for them to roll out the old ‘fans are the lifeblood of the game’ blarney. The game’s willingness to sell itself so completely and cede so much control to TV has been a massive mistake.
I'd certainly agree with that. I guess the thing that irks me in that regard is that surely it doesn't work for armchair fans in any case.