Kevin Kilbane has backed the VAR system being used at the World Cup following a number of high profile decisions.
Video replays have been used in Russia to help referees make key calls with the intention of creating as little interruption to the game as possible.
Christian Cueva of Peru benefitted from the system against Denmark to win a penalty before blazing his effort over the bar in his side’s defeat to Denmark.
The decision to award France a penalty against Australia caused debate among supporters after Antoine Griezmann was initially dispossessed before being clipped in the box.
But Kilbane, speaking to Off The Ball AM, believes the system has largely been a success despite some protestations.
“I thought it worked brilliantly in the Peru game I was doing,” Kilbane said.
“It looked a penalty to me straightaway. You could tell it was a penalty with the way Cueva manipulated the ball. And the referee got it right ultimately.
“I didn’t necessarily see the need for the referee to leave the pitch. I think that could have been given as a clear message to him: ‘give the penalty – it’s 100 per cent a penalty’.
“But that’s the way they’re going to work it with the referee because he may have the understanding that he can see it for himself and to make sure he’s making the right call.
“I didn’t think the [Antoine] Griezmann penalty for France was a clear and obvious penalty. I understand you can look at it from a few different angles but it’s got to be clear and obvious in my mind. I don’t think that should have been given.
“I understand the argument for giving it but how can you clearly state that was a penalty? The Australian defender’s touch of the ball is irrelevant because of the way it is now.
“Griezmann is diving; he’s looking for that penalty. It wasn’t clear and obvious in my mind. I feel it has been a bit hit and miss. But by and large I think it has been good.
“It’s much better than the system we’ve seen being used over in England in the FA Cup and League Cup games. I think it’s worked quite effectively other than that [Griezmann] one.”
James Hopper
