Technically both major decisions in the final were 100% correct. Although the first one is currently beyond the remit of VAR, the angle behind Griezmann shows a foul committed, so a free kick was given.
The penalty appeal shows a movement by the hand towards the ball. We've seen those calls given without VAR, (e.g. Roma got a similiar penalty against Klavan a few weeks ago) It's one of those calls that if it's for you, you think it's obvious, and if it's against you, you think it's outrageous. But the ref now gets more than one look at an incident so they can make an informed decision, and most will give a handball in that instance.
I'm sure we will have the ref and room communication broadcast in the next tournament, during a review. It won't change the final decision, but it will change the nature of the debate and help put the conspiracy theories to bed. There's no reason why it can't be done right now, so I'm sure when the will is there, it will be done.
As I expected, it has been widely welcomed by the fans and press.
We've been spoiled by it's use and it's accuracy during the tournament, and many of the sceptics have been won over, during the tournament. Now it's back to the bad old days of one look refereeing for the coming season, that allows teams such as Roma to win penalties such as the above, with no opportunity to reconsider them or put them right. But one thing we know is that VAR is on the way to becoming the norm, and it'll be back putting wrong decisions right again, soon enough.
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