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Retired Premier League official Darren Cann asserts that referees maintain their decision-making processes unchanged, despite the presence of video assistant referees (VAR). Cann, aged 56, concluded his officiating career this month after serving as an assistant referee in over 1,000 matches, including a record 579 in the Premier League.
The VAR system was first implemented in the Premier League at the onset of the 2019-20 season, leading to some belief that referees may defer certain calls to the technology. Cann, however, emphasizes that this is a misconception. “Not everyone appreciates VAR, and I’m aware of that perspective,” he remarked during a conversation with BBC Sport.
He continued, “From the vantage point of match officials, VAR is indeed a valuable resource. I want to clarify a common misunderstanding: we do not adjust the way we officiate due to VAR; that is simply not the case. My focus is on making the correct decisions over the course of those 90 minutes.” Cann explained that referees aim to minimize reliance on VAR by striving for accuracy in their calls, acknowledging that VAR serves as a backup for significant errors.
Recently, Cann endorsed the introduction of semi-automated offside technology, which made its debut during the weekend of his final game. This advancement employs artificial intelligence and specialized cameras to expedite the evaluation of close offside situations, significantly enhancing efficiency.
“In prior seasons, the process could extend up to 50 seconds just to draw the lines before reaching a conclusion,” Cann noted. “With semi-automated offside, the lines are automatically generated at the moment the ball is played, streamlining the verification process.”
He clarified that while this technology improves the speed of checks, it does not diminish the role of assistant referees, who continue to make their own decisions on the field.
Cann’s notable career includes officiating significant matches, culminating in both the Champions League and World Cup finals in 2010. Reflecting on his experiences, he recalled a particular incident from the Premier League that still weighs on him: “Before VAR’s introduction, I failed to call an offside correctly in a game, and that mistake continues to haunt me. The margin was minimal—only half a yard—during a play where a forward and defender quickly crossed paths. I misjudged the timing and flagged when I shouldn’t have. I lost focus, and even after 20 years, that moment still stings.”
Source
www.bbc.com