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The EFL has confirmed VAR will be used across all three of the play-off finals being played at Wembley over the weekend. Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, Mark Clattenburg tells us why that should be the start of full integration of the technology through the divisions.
Love it or hate it, VAR is here to stay, that much is clear. And, when it works, it’s a real triumph and truly does advance the game of football.
When it goes wrong, of course, it slows down the game and causes just as much controversy and debate as there would be if a referee simply made a mistake.
But, you’ll find very few football fans — at least in the Sheffield United and Sunderland camps — who would bemoan the fact that VAR will indeed be used for the upcoming Championship play-off final.
After hearing that the technology will be put in place for that game, and the League One and League Two finals, we spoke to Mark Clattenburg to get his thoughts on the matter.
- READ MORE: The new rule Sunderland or Sheffield United must adhere to if they win Championship play-off final
What Mark Clattenburg said about VAR being used in play-offs
Discussing VAR and its merits within the EFL, Clattenburg exclusively told EFL Analysis that it’s about time this step was taken for the play-offs, and he suggested it is a decision that’s been made too late if you’re a Stockport County fan.
He said: “It’s an interesting debate about VAR being used in the play-off finals. If you’re connected to Stockport County you’ll feel aggrieved because it should have been used in the semi-final; there was a clear offside in that first leg and it’s cost Stockport.
“I believe that it should always be used, certainly in the play-offs. All it means is that the stadiums need certifications so they can use VAR, and that can be done over a few days. The testing procedure is not a long process.
“There are systems on the market now, really easy systems to install and very easy to use for offsides or factual decisions, like whether a foul was inside or outside the box. There are systems and I believe VAR should be used.”
Clattenburg doesn’t simply believe VAR should be used in the play-offs, though. No, the former referee thinks it’s something the EFL must roll out across the Championship as soon as possible, before bringing it into League One and League Two as well.
He added: “The Championship should have VAR and goal line technology in all the matches. There’s so much at stake, and it’s so tight in that league that you could win a few games and move right up the table.
“Points are important at the end of the season, and there’s a lot of money at stake with getting to the Premier League. That should be done for next season, and then they can look at the leagues below for a cheaper system… just for the clear and obvious decisions.
“I’m all for VAR, especially to remove the scandalous decisions in the Championship and the play-offs; they should all have VAR.”
Championship play-off final is too important to risk mistakes
Our finance expert, Adam Williams, has crunched the numbers and worked out that winning the Championship play-offs is worth £240m.
That’s after TV rights in the Premier League, prize money from the EFL, and of course, those parachute payments that teams get if they are relegated from the top flight.
Simply put, this game at Wembley on Saturday is far too important and expensive for any silly mistakes to cost either team their chance of going up.
While Sheffield United and Sunderland go head-to-head on the pitch and the 22 players out there will have a big say in the way the game goes, there are always external factors at play.
The referee for the final, Chris Kavanagh, will need all the help he can get to make sure the game runs smoothly, and the fact VAR is there to support can only be a good thing.