CALL IT A THEORY ONLY ,,, BUT TRYING TO EXPLAIN VAR'S INCONSISTENCIES ISN'T EASY

 The following is Part I of a 2-part series about what should be a major concern when it comes to what is ailing The World’s Most Popular Sport … as well as once-dominant Manchester United.

TELL THE TRUTH … if you believe in conspiracy theories, look no further than professional soccer at its highest level ... I’m not talking about the players, who would appear most likely to be corrupted and, thereby, control the outcome of games to the satisfaction of the wise guyson behalf of the betting public. Some undoubtedly have, the cynic of longstanding said. 

Nor do I mean game officials – although curious results difficult to explain by any other way have become more and more prevalent.

No, would you believe no-name people who sit in front of large TV-like monitors, hidden from sight usually miles away from the game site, and make decisions that could be worth millions of dollars, pounds, lire, pesos, etc., to millions of gamblers around the world? And invariably are?

Actually, video replay or VAR has become quite the phenomenon in Europe, especially on the pitches of the English Premier League in recent years to the point of being an intregal part of the game. Seldom does a match go by without VAR having a hand in determining the outcome … almost always cloaked in controversy – some minor but, unfortunately, mostly major.

ORIGINALLY HAILED as THE opportunity to assist the referee and get things right, the VAR has evolved into something more, with its rules and regulations thereof constantly open to different interpretations … which, by any definition, can’t possibly be good.

Examples this year are too numerous to count … although who can forget the red card given to the USA’s FOLARIN BALOGUN in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 – on the advice of the replay official after the ref ruled otherwise? 

At first the Americans were told there was no rule to overturn the controversial decision, which meant the USMNT’s leader in Cup goals was automatically suspended for the next game. Later they learned of an obscure regulation that FIFA’s well-tarnished president ANTONNI INFANTINO miraculously uncovered, and Balogun could suit up against Belguim after all … prompting Belgian coach LUIGI GARCIA

to respond with the Quote of the Tournament:

“I didn’t know they celebrated April Fool’s Day on July 6th,” Garcia said.

As it turned out, the only celebration was by a clearly-fired up Belgium … which won 4-1 to end the Americans’ bid to reach the semifinals for the first time

AS USUAL, we digress. Back to our original premise to wit … no one should be shocked to learn some guardians of VAR could be in the hip pocket of the mob. It’s always possible the fix is on.

Otherwise, how to explain the goal scored by Manchester City in Sunday’s 1-0 verdict that only added to Manchester United’s early-season woes that are said to have coach MICHAEL CARRICK’s job in jeopardy. 

In what could only be described as “unbelievable,” ManCity’s top gun, ERLING HAALAND, knocked in a cross-goal pass apparently intended for teammate ENZO FERNANDEZ …  who came that close to scoring himself. Both Haaland and Fernandez appeared to be in violation of the rules, and the near sideline official promptly stuck his flag out in front of him, signaling offsides.

No goal. Haaland, who hardly celebrated, saw the flag and 

barely blinked. He knew to permit the goal would be too good to be true … although we learned much later that the Swedish international was not offside because defender PAULU had been careless and failed to keep all but his left foot behind the onrushing striker, who has been the EPL’s top goal scorer each of the five seasons since joining City from the Bundesliga ... In other words, ManU failed to gain no worse

an important point in the standings by a foot … to remain 13^th at 1W-1D-3L.

From replay shown on Peacock, Fernandez, clearly offsides, created a distraction by coming oh-so-close to scoring himself … drawing attention away from Haaland, who had nothing but an open net in front of him.

Viewers were instantly shown the rule that should have been used to nullify the score … but after a long delay, VAR overturned the decision on the field, saying in a printout seen on Peacock that Fernandez did not cause a distraction. In other words, don’t believe your lying eyes.

A few hours later, upon further review, the EPL-affiliated group that overseas league officials issued a statement – as well as an apology to ManU – saying the goal should not have been allowed, citing “an error in judgement.”

ProRef also promised to “resolve the problem.” What that meant could only be left to the imagination. No one expected the league to do the right thing and declare the match a draw.

Monday, prior to NBC-on-USA’s coverage of Newcastle at Leeds, the network’s talking heads continued analyzing the latest Manchester Derby … without much new to report … other than former United scoring great PHIL NEVILLE, in retrospect, calling it “a disastrous error\.”

Until next time (and Part II) ...

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