Thierry Henry doesn't really like VAR and makes it known.
The former French international believes that using video assistance for refereeing during football matches takes too long, only increases controversy and "kills the joy of the game".
Asked during the "Leaders Week sport business" which brings together more than 3,000 of the most senior leaders of the world sports industry, from September 26 to 29 in London, Thierry Henry clarified that he had nothing against technology in general, but that he was upset about the loss of time during the viewings, compared to other sports.
Lessons to be learned from rugby or tennis
The 45-year-old further considers that VAR creates new controversies over refereeing decisions instead of reducing them.
“In football we are always behind, we have so much to learn.
What I can see in American football, rugby, cricket, tennis is that (decisions) are instantaneous”.
Today a television consultant and assistant coach of the Belgian team, Henry wanted to be more specific: “What annoys me with the VAR is that it is not fast enough.
Then it's always the decision of someone in a truck or somewhere else, because it's not the VAR that decides.
The VAR only recalls the situation”.
Finally, calling on the VAR prevents any spontaneous celebration in the event of a goal, according to the historic Arsenal striker: now “after you have scored, you don't even know if you have to jump for joy.
Am I jumping?
Am I partying?
Am I not partying?
It kills the joy of the game,” he lamented.
The (small) controversy is therefore launched just under two months before the World Cup in Qatar.
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