As Wolves fans protest, West Brom are involved in perfect advert for VAR v Sunderland

Danny Wright, a lifelong West Brom enthusiast influenced by his father’s admiration for Cyrille Regis and John Wile, shares his passionate perspective on the team through regular fan views for West Brom News. Although he opposes the introduction of VAR in the EFL or any professional football tier, recent incidents involving EFL referees, particularly at the Stadium of Light, have fueled discussions about implementing VAR in the Championship.

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Before Wolves fans expressed their discontent with VAR during their match against Nottingham Forest, EFL referee Darren Bond and his officiating team faced criticism for disallowing valid goals and neglecting to address potentially dangerous tackles. Despite West Brom’s loss to Sunderland, Wright refrains from dwelling on the outcome, focusing instead on Carlos Corberan’s team appearing lackluster, uninspired, and defensively vulnerable.

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Wright highlights an apparent injustice against Sunderland, where Jobe Bellingham’s goal was disallowed for offside erroneously. The situation worsened when Dan Ballard’s aggressive challenge on West Brom’s Josh Maja resulted in a serious injury, with Maja forced to leave the game in pain.

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Despite the severity of the tackle, Ballard received only a yellow card, the same punishment given for lesser offenses.

Wright points out the inconsistency and potential long-term consequences of such refereeing decisions. He recounts a similar incident in mid-September when Maja suffered a heavy challenge from Bristol City’s Kal Naismith, leading to a lengthy absence from the game. Despite the injury, all penalty appeals were dismissed.

Expressing his distaste for VAR across various football settings, Wright acknowledges that its existence in the EFL could be a solution to prevent refereeing controversies like Bond’s. He questions Bond’s suitability to officiate the game, noting his limited experience and recent inactivity. While recognizing Bond’s bad day at the office, Wright emphasizes the broader impact, as such officiating errors may result in talented players like Maja facing season-ending injuries. Wright concludes that if referees at this level cannot effectively manage matches and enforce appropriate sanctions, the eventual introduction of VAR may become inevitable.