Sir Alex Ferguson's 2005 comments on VAR ring true almost 20 years later

16 February 2024 , 09:58

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Alex Ferguson had a word of warning about VAR back in 2005

Sir Alex Ferguson sent a word of warning about lengthy VAR checks “killing the game” almost two decades ago - and has been proven to be spot on.

The legendary former Manchester United boss has regularly shared his opinion on technology within football. One specific occasion was in 2005 after the Red Devils' 0-0 draw with Tottenham. The north London side had a late winner ruled out in contentious circumstances after Roy Carroll infamously spilled a shot over the line from Pedro Mendes.

Asked about that incident in 2005, Ferguson revealed he was a fan of VAR being introduced but did not want the game punctured with regular stoppages. He said: “Well it just adds weight to the point of a technology and cameras.

"I mean I think most people in the game are saying the progress has got to be made in the game as for television cameras and I think that proved it tonight."

Probed if he meant goalline technology or added intervention, the Red Devils boss replied: “Well that would be a start. My contention about in it the past would be has been that it would take too long.

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“So it’s a winter game, people in the terrace and are sitting waiting for something to happen and wait for the referee to go way across the touchline, make a decision, look at it. It could take a couple of minutes.

“But the Bologna coach [Carlo Mazzone] made a good point. If you can't make a decision in 30 seconds, the game carries on. The 30 seconds sometimes in a lot of cases is about the time you take for a goal kick or a corner kick if you think about it so then it wouldn’t kill the game in terms of wasting time.

Fans have been left disgruntled by lengthy VAR stoppages in the Premier League (Getty Images)

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“It would be for all decisions. You could start off with goal line incidents and see how it has an impact on the game. A start is always important.”

Ferguson’s opinion of VAR does not appear to have changed at all since 2005. Speaking after a 4-1 success for United against Newcastle back in September 2021, he was still wary about VAR interventions stopping the game.

Appearing on the UTD Podcast, he said: "It's a different world. It's only eight years [since I retired]. Look at VAR. To me, the most talked about issue.

"VAR was not used once. Supporters will enjoy that better, the game not stopping for two or three minutes at a time."

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Daniel Orme