CGTN Sports Talk: Is the Video Assistant Referee killing football and alienating fans?
CGTN

CGTN Sports Talk Episode 04 VAR.mp3

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CGTN Sports Talk host Hu Zhicheng is joined by senior expert Josh McNally to weigh the pros and cons of the notorious Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Thanks to VAR interventions, Manchester United clinched their first Premier League win this season, with the winning goal coming through a penalty after the referee had blown the full-time whistle. The VAR also played a key role in Spurs' draw with Newcastle and Real Madrid's controversial late comeback against Real Betis.

Not a match-day goes by without a fiery debate about VAR. The technology was supposed to do good and make football better, but now it risks killing the game.

What should we do to improve VAR? How can it be fixed?

Crystal Palace fans display a banner in protest of VAR during their Premier League clash with Arsenal at Selhurst Park, London, England, January 11, 2020. /VCG

Crystal Palace fans display a banner in protest of VAR during their Premier League clash with Arsenal at Selhurst Park, London, England, January 11, 2020. /VCG

Host: Hu Zhicheng

Guest: Josh McNally

Audio editor: Niu Yuan

Backroom researcher: Li Xiang

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

Chief editor: Chen Ran

Producer: Zhang Shilei