This is the problem now they are trying to make the game error free which is going to kill the game. Just give the Refs better training maybe 4 lines people with some Gizmo to indicate offside etc but leave any interpretation to the REF
The game is supposed to be error free after all, or as few errors as possible.
Offsides have nothing to do with interpretation, it either is offside or it isn't, according to the laws as they stand at the time.
Premier League are also abandoning it before the league even starts.
I'm not sure we've heard the last of this issue because, according to Collina in his press conference video below, that is news to him. As far as he is concerned, all competitions that use VAR must enforce all VAR laws, not cherry pick the ones they want and ignore the rest. It's not Brexit after all.
There will be a bit of fuss over the rule but come mid season, the refs will soon be turning a blind eye. It was meant to be enforced once before but never happened except for the odd ref from time to time. Just like players encroaching the box as it’s taken, every now and again they will make it be retaken.
Just use common sense, let the keeper have a yard to come off his line
Collina also addresses what happens when "common sense" is applied.
Keepers cannot have a yard, anymore than defenders cannot have a yard for a free kick, or forwards cannot have a yard for offsides. We have rules to abide by. Without rules, we have anarchy.
In previous years, refs could turn a blind eye, under the "I didn't see it" explanation. With VAR, that explanation is now useless. If something should be spotted, it will be spotted and something will be done about it.
I expect VAR to force several changes to football rules over the next season.
We saw yesterday, a Cameroon goal disallowed because the player who provided the assist was an inch or two offside (by her heel) prior to receiving the ball. The movement, the assist, the goal was all great - but the tightest of calls took all that away. That is not what the offside rules are for - but the rules currently out rule it.
That decision is correct. Cameroon can scream "racism" all they want, but there's no racism involved. The VAR system doesn't recognise where teams come from or what their skin colour is. It simply provides the evidence to confirm a decision or correct an error.
The link to the press conference video on YouTube below, sees Collina and several other officials confirm and clarify refereeing decisions at the WWC, and VAR related issues.
https://youtu.be/yuhIVx8RoiIMain points are:
Accuracy of ref decisions with VAR is 98%+.
Average of 10 VAR checks per WWC game.
A VAR on field review called, every 1.52 games, a rate consistent with other major tournaments.
More penalties awarded during this WWC than any in history.
Analysis of previous incidents: Around 35-40 minutes into the video.
Collina EPL comments: 79 minutes in.