The Sun Newspaper

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      45 Polish football fans appear at special court over ‘worst riot in UK for 20 years’ at Aston Villa

      by

      FORTY-FIVE Polish football fans including a woman appeared in a special court yesterday over the Aston Villa riot.Thursday’s clashes outside the Birmingham stadium were the worst in the UK for 20 years.
      The clashes outside Aston Villa’s stadium were the worst in the UK for 20 yearsCredit: Reuters
      A total of 46 people aged between 21 and 63 were charged — but one did not attend.
      The others appeared in groups of up to five at separate hearings throughout the day.
      Police said 43 were charged with public order offences, two with assaulting police and another with possessing a knife.
      A district judge and several magistrates granted conditional bail to almost 30 of the accused at Birmingham crown court.
      READ MORE ON LEGIA RIOT
      They including a 22-year-old woman from Poland who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.
      At one hearing the court was told “egregious, sustained and horrific” violence included bricks, bottles and a portable toilet being thrown at police.
      It is alleged that a police van was the target of an attempted fire attack.
      And a flare and a flaming flag were allegedly used to injure two officers.
      Most read in Football
      Police said five officers, two police dogs and two horses were injured after violence erupted when visiting supporters were not given tickets, as arranged, to enter Villa Park for the Europa Conference League clash which Legia Warsaw lost 2-1.
      Darius Buras, 57, of Birmingham, was one of the two accused of attacking police.
      He denied it and was bailed. Remanded defendants were ordered to ­reappear on January 5.
      Det Supt Jim Munro said: “To charge this number of people so soon after such a major disorder has taken a huge effort.” More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Terry Venables is the man who put a smile on the face of the nation… I’ll never stop singing his praises

      by

      IF they did a league table of football’s larger-than-life  personalities, Terry Venables would be the odds-on favourite for the title.I have come across plenty of characters in my career — but Terry was head and shoulders above all of them.
      Terry Venables passed away aged 80 last weekCredit: Getty
      El Tel was an all-round entertainerCredit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
      And he even roped Harry Redknapp into singing in The Sun’s choir before the 2010 World CupCredit: Jon Bond -The Sun
      And there’s no doubt the world won’t be quite as bright after his passing last week.
      As a real Dagenham boy, our paths crossed a lot over the years, going back to when we were  still kids looking for our big break in the 1960s.
      Chelsea had a magnificent youth team at the time, so it was no surprise that he went there when  so many clubs wanted him.
      We met plenty of times on the pitch, but just as much off it.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      And if it involved Terry, there was one thing you could guarantee — there would be lots of fun and laughter.
      Although back in the day I’d never have guessed that it would end up with me joining a choir and singing to the whole country.
      Among his many talents, Terry was always a decent singer and loved nothing better than  belting out a few numbers at his club.
      What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For was a favourite of his, and it always went down well. Bobby Moore loved him.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Venables enjoyed an illustrious managerial careerCredit: PA: Press Association
      So before the 2010 World Cup, The Sun’s television advert centred on Terry performing the old Elvis classic If I Can Dream.
      Obviously he was centre stage, but he was backed by a full choir… which included two extra members just for the ad, in me and Ian Wright.
      Great fun, but we didn’t get asked back! It always made me chuckle that when England went out to Hong Kong before Euro 96, he delegated Bryan Robson to look after them.
      Robbo might have been a coach by then, but he was captain of  the drinking team.
      That was when everyone kicked off about the dentist’s chair incident.
      And if it involved Terry, there was one thing you could guarantee — there would be lots of fun and laughter. Although back in the day I’d never have guessed that it would end up with me joining a choir and singing to the whole country.Harry Redknapp
      But Terry knew how to handle it, like he knew how to  handle most things, and England had a great tournament.
      People look at his personality — which was probably too big for the FA to cope with — and miss the real point… which is that he had a brilliant football brain.
      Players loved playing for him, he knew exactly how to get the best out of them.
      Read More on The Sun
      Gazza, Alan Shearer, Teddy  Sheringham, Gary Neville… you just won’t find anyone with a bad word to say.
      Anyone who looks back to the summer of ’96 and It’s Coming Home does so with a smile… well, Terry Venables is the man who put it on the face of the nation.
      The beloved manager guided England to the semi-finals of Euro 96Credit: Getty More

    • 300 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Redknapp: Even Pep Guardiola is going back to the old ways – expect to see more of his ‘back to the future’ tactic

      by

      I’VE always said football is a simple game — now it seems even Pep Guardiola agrees that you can’t beat winging it.But don’t think I’m having a pop at a bloke who’s rightfully got a reputation as one of modern football’s trailblazers. Nothing could be further from the truth.
      Pep Guardiola does something and often the rest followCredit: Getty
      I’m not suggesting all the success he’s had at Manchester City is down to playing it off the cuff. It’s the result of hard graft, preparation and obviously having the best players.
      If you’re talking trends, it’s usually a case of what Pep does today, the rest do tomorrow, from goalkeepers who must be as good with their feet as their hands, to playing out from the back.
      But sometimes the best ways can be the old ways — and that’s what I mean by Pep winging it at City this season.
      Or, to put it another way, the way he has turned back time with Jeremy Doku, the man who, for me, is the most exciting player in the Premier League.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Back in the day every club in the league would play with at least one winger — most had them on both sides.
      Blokes whose first thought and main objective was to be positive, to run at their full-back, to take him on and whip in a cross.
      Division One, as it was back then, was full of them. Mike Summerbee, Steve Heighway, Eddie Gray, Dave Thomas, Stevie Coppell — the list was endless. And that’s only from the 1970s and ’80s.
      Sir Alex Ferguson turned Manchester United into the best team in the country with Ryan Giggs or Lee Sharpe on one side, Andrei Kanchelskis on the other.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      When I was at Tottenham I had two of the best, with Gareth Bale flying down the left and Aaron Lennon on the right.
      All of them players who excited fans and put the fear of God in full-backs. And who would get the crowd buzzing every time they got the ball.
      Lots of managers would no doubt argue they play with wingers now as well. But not in the old sense. Not in the way I view them.
      These days, the ball goes wide and the first thought is not to try to beat the defender and get to the byline or fire in a shot.
      Most of the time it’s about finding a square ball or — and this frustrates me even more — passing it back the way it’s just come.
      Wolves had one in Adama Traore, who was an absolute flyer and would tear at people, although in his case there was rarely an end product.
      But in Doku, City have an  old-school winger who is absolute dynamite. A man whose first thought isn’t to play it safe but to turn and take on the full-back, to attack and create.
      If I had to choose one man who’s lit up the Premier League this season, it’s Doku. At a time when there is such a stink over VAR, he has been a breath of fresh air.
      But sometimes the best ways can be the old ways — and that’s what I mean by Pep winging it at City this season.Harry Redknapp
      Not so much a guy who puts bums on seats, as gets backsides out of them — because he makes things happen.
      There aren’t many games now when the full-back gets put under any serious, sustained pressure.
      Players are more intent on a safe pass and keeping possession than running at their opponent and trying to be positive.
      But in Doku, Pep has a player who thinks the opposite. Someone who is killing defenders, in a football sense, every time he gets the ball.
      I feel sorry for Pedro Porro, who will be the one in his firing line today when Tottenham are at the Etihad.
      Porro’s done alright in his first season in England but he will have his hands full this afternoon.
      To be honest, it looks a pretty thankless task all round for Spurs.
      They have a better record than most against City and I’m sure Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will send them out to have a go. Rightly so, too, because if you sit back, there’s only one winner.
      It’s tough enough at the best of times and now not only is Harry Kane gone, but they also hardly have any fit first-choice defenders.
      Read More on The Sun
      Ange is doing a great job and the recent blip is more down to injuries and suspensions.
      But I can’t see them getting anything at City — especially with Doku in this form.
      Jeremy Doku has lit up the Premier League with his pace and trickery More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Best football chants in Premier League history revealed – where does your favourite rank?

      by

      A CHANT about Peter Crouch, saying, “He’s big, he’s red, his feet stick out the bed” has been voted the Premier League’s best-loved.Nearly nine in ten fans rated the terrace song about the 6ft 7in former Liverpool striker highly.
      The best football chants have been revealedCredit: AFP
      It came just ahead of the more ­traditional call to rival supporters: “You’re not singing anymore.”
      The third, backed by eight in ten, was about ex-Brighton and West Ham striker Bobby Zamora and sung to the tune of Dean Martin’s That’s Amore.
      It goes: “When the ball hits the goal, it’s not Shearer or Cole — that’s Zamora.”
      Taunts to players perceived to be overweight of “Who ate all the pies?” and to beleaguered managers of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” made up the top five.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Researchers for betting site BettingTips4You.com asked 2,650 Premier League fans for their favourite songs and chants of all time.
      “Your teeth are offside” sung to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was voted the sixth most popular.
      The Liverpool fans’ chant to former striker and Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane — “He’s fast, he’s red, he talks like Father Ted” — came tenth.
      FUNNIEST SONGS IN PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY

      Peter Crouch – ‘He’s big his red, his feet stick out the bed” – 88 per cent
      ‘You’re not singing anymore’ – 84 per cent
      Bobby Zamora – ‘That’s Zamora’ – 80 per cent
      ‘Who Ate all the pies?’ – 78 per cent
      ‘Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning’ – 77 per cent
      Luis Suarez – ‘Your teeth are offside’ – 76 per cent
      ‘Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, we’re going to Wembley’ – 75 per cent
      ‘You only sing when you’re winning’ – 74 per cent
      Rio Ferdinand – ‘His name is Rio and he Watches from the stands’ – 73 per cent
      Robbie Keane – ‘hes’ fast, he’s red, he talks like father Ted’ – Robbie Keane – 71 per cent
      Rio Ferdinand – ‘His name is Rio and he dances on the grass, don’t take the ball off him he’ll kick you in the ass’ – 69 per cent
      ‘We are top of the league’ – 74 per cent
      Alan Shearer – ‘You should have stayed on the telly, stayed on the telly’ – 67 per cent
      Ian Wright – ‘Ian Wright Wright Wright’ – 65 per cent More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Joey Essex enjoys training session at footie club for disabled kids as he supports The Sun’s Footie For All fund

      by

      FIVE months ago, little Hamilton could barely walk a few steps before falling over – now he is tearing around a football pitch putting Joey Essex through his paces.The six-year-old has developmental difficulties in his legs, which caused mobility problems and affected his confidence.
      Tyreece knocks a ball past Joey Essex at Broomfield FC’s training groundCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      The Towie star lines up with Hamilton Hunt, in blue hat, and his palsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      But thanks to the dedication of volunteers at Broomfield Football Club, Hamilton now runs around without a care in the world and has become increasingly confident in himself.
      Joey said: “It’s amazing to be here tonight and meet such a great group of kids.
      “They’re clearly really enjoying themselves and most are really passionate about it, just like Hamilton.
      “Everyone who wants a chance to play football should always have it.
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      “All the children here get to play for free, and it’s so important they get the opportunity.
      “I love that it’s in Essex, and getting to hand out their new kit was amazing.”
      The Chelmsford-based club, which has been awarded one of our Footie For All Grants, offer a free session every week for children with a range of disabilities from those on the autism spectrum to one child with cerebral palsy.
      Around twenty kids come to play every week, and often they’ve tried other clubs but been left out or picked on by other children.
      Most read in Football
      The Sun’s grant is being used to help cover pitch hire and training costs for staff to ensure volunteers can keep the sessions free for as long as possible.
      Hamilton’s mum Skye said: “Coming here has quite literally been life changing for Hamilton and me.
      “They’ve helped with his mobility more than the hospital have been able to.
      “But it’s more than just that. They’ve given us something to bond over, and football is now all he talks about.
      “His teachers have told me that he’s always getting friends at school or other clubs to get involved and be more confident.”
      Reality star Joey has backed out The Sun’s Footie For All campaign since it started, earlier this year, following shocking statistics that the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of local sports clubs.
      We then launched our groundbreaking Footie For All Fund in partnership with the Tesco Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      We invited grassroots football clubs that work with kids under the age of 18 to apply for one of the 150 £1,000 grants.
      While the Essex boy didn’t try to turn his love of sports into a footballing career, he did get his love of Millwall from his dad, who is a devoted fan.
      And seeing how much kids aged between six and eleven love getting a chance to have a kickabout.
      He told The Sun: “I came down tonight to put a smile on the kids faces, and I was amazed that some of them knew me from Blankety Blank.
      “It’s so important than everyone can play football, no matter what their background is.
      “It’s great to be here, seeing them doing something they truly love.”
      Joey handed out a new team strip paid for by a local art business Quantus Gallery, owned by James Ryan.
      James said: “It’s a pleasure to sponsor the new kit forBroomfield FC.
      “When I heard about the Footie For All Campaign I wanted to support in whatever way I could.
      “Helping an Essex team makes it extra special for me.”
      Coach Nick Emery, said: “The kids have really warmed to Joey and have loved that he’s come down to play with them.
      “Some of these players that come with us tonight might have tried to try with mainstream teams, and just found they need a bit of extra attention and can get lost in mainstream teams.
      “We have this session to make sure we meet some of their additional needs and to make sure we’re fully inclusive as a football club.
      “It’s just lovely to see how their faces light up every time they arrive for a session.
      “It’s the biggest bit of their week.
      Read More on The Sun
      “They’ve all gone on to make friends and their parents have told us just how much they love it.
      “The grant from The Sun and Tesco will help us pay for some facility costs, staff training coaches training to help improve our skills in terms of being able to provide the best possible sessions for the kids and if we have any left over we’d like to do some team buildingactivities with the team.”
      Joey continues to join in with Essex club’s kidsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Rare copy of Panini 1970 World Cup sticker album could fetch £1,800 at auction – is there one in your loft?

      by

      A COPY of the first Panini World Cup album could fetch a record £1,800.Every Mexico 1970 sticker — including Bobby Moore — is in it.
      The Three Lions page from the rare Panini sticker album – including legends such as Bobby and Jack Charlton and Bobby MooreCredit: SWNS
      Footie fan Andrew Knott, 65, from Leics, got the album for his 12th birthday.Credit: SWNS
      Andrew, of Arthingworth, Leicestershire, with the album tipped to sell for £1,800Credit: SWNS
      Andrew Knott, 65, from Leics, got it for his 12th birthday.
      It will be sold in Market Harborough next week.
      Other football legends in the album include the late Bobby Charlton, Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, Portugal’s Eusébio and Brazil’s Pelé.
      Andrew, of Arthingworth, Leicestershire, said: “As my 12th birthday present, it was amazing to be presented with the complete album, although the fun of swaps in the playground with my friends was lost on me.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      “But after years of it sitting in the garage without any attention, the time is right to part ways with it.
      “The mice got the other footballing programmes and material that it was stored away with, but thankfully Panini was off the menu for them.”
      Experts say that as the first Panini World Cup sticker album ever produced, it is a ‘highly coveted’ item for football collectors.
      The 1970 World Cup, which was won by Brazil, was the only time during that decade that England qualified for the tournament.
      Most read in Football
      With the team arriving Mexico off the back of their 1966 triumph, great things were expected of the Three Lions but they were knocked out by West Germany in the quarter-finals.
      England were expected to do well at Mexico 70, coming in off the back of their 1966 triumph – sadly it was not to be for the Three LionsCredit: SWNS
      The 1970 World Cup, which was won by Brazil, was the only time during that decade that England qualified for the tournamentCredit: SWNS More

    • 300 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I don’t know what I’d have done without football – The Sun’s Footie For All fund is vital for kids, says John Obi Mikel

      by

      BOUNDING about a pitch, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel greeted the 20 kids from Wapping FC one by one with a high five or handshake at a special training session.While Mikel, 36, has retired from elite football, the former midfielder has kept his foot in youth teams with his own foundation in Nigeria.
      Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel bounding about the pitch with 20 kids from Wapping FCCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He believes it is vital to support clubs for kids in the cost of living crisisCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport just like these kids and it completely changed my life.
      “I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.”
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and keep out of trouble.
      Now more than 250 children are on their books, including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.
      Parents are charged £5 a week for their children to join in training, and if they can’t afford it the club will do what it can to subsidise or waive fees.
      Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.
      Most read in Football
      “Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players.
      “It shows them just what is possible.”
      Mikel met 20 kids aged between 11 and 13.
      When he was growing up in Nigeria, the former Chelsea ace played in any open area of grass with his friends and a beat-up ball, rather than being coached by professionals.
      But he reckons the joy he found in football is the same for the kids he saw training.
      Mikel, who has launched his second series of The Obi One Podcast, added: “What I tell kids at this age is don’t look at the money or fame that comes with football now.
      “Just enjoy the time you have with your friends because that’ll go by really quickly.
      “If you’re focused on the Ferrari or the fancy watches, you’re not playing football for the right reasons.
      “Money comes and goes, but this kind of joy doesn’t last for ever.”
      Mikel reckons the youths he saw training have found the same joy for footie that he has doneCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      NET WIN
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has declared herself a “proud supporter” of The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.
      She praised our initiative to inject £150,000 into the grassroots game with the help of Tesco after the cost-of-living crisis led to many kids dropping out of local sports clubs.
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is a ‘proud supporter’ of Footie For AllCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      Meanwhile, we sent Towie football fan Joey Essex and former Chelsea ace John Obi Mikel to surprise teams awarded one of our Footie For All Fund grants.
      Talking to The Sun today at the FA’s national centre at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, Staffs, the Culture Secretary said: “It’s really important that we have football access for everyone.
      “I’m a proud supporter of The Sun’s campaign.
      “We are combining with the sporting bodies, the Department for Education and the Department of Health to achieve our aims, so Footie For All is complementary to that.”
      The minister was speaking at the announcement of a £30million plan funded by the Government and the FA to build around 30 state-of-the-art pitches across the country.
      Inspired by the Lionesses making it to the final of this year’s women’s World Cup, the new sites will have dedicated female changing rooms, shower facilities and accessible toilets, as well as priority booking for women and girls’ teams.
      Elsewhere, TV favourite Joey enjoyed a training session with Broomfield FC in Essex, which caters for children with disabilities.
      The club was awarded one of our 1,500 £1,000 grants to help with the cost of pitch hire and specialist staff to keep the sessions free for kids.
      Joey, who grew up watching Millwall with his dad, said: “Seeing how much these kids love to play and the difference it makes to their confidence is amazing. I’m so proud to support Footie For All.”
      Chelsea’s John Obi was mobbed by enthusiastic young players when he dropped in on Wapping FC in East London after they too were also awarded a grant.
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.
      “It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”
      The Sun launched Footie For All this year after statistics revealed how the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of local sports clubs.
      We invited grassroots football clubs which work with kids under 18 to apply for one of 150 grants worth £1,000 each.
      The fund was generously provided by Tesco as part of its Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      Since September, in partnership with the supermarket giant, we have been funding essentials including kits, free places and the cost of pitch hire for kids’ footie clubs up and down the UK — including dozens of girls’ teams.
      England team captain Millie Bright has already backed our Footie For All campaign.
      She said: “It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams.
      “It will help a lot of children keep playing. And who knows, maybe some of the kids they help could become lionesses.
      “As a kid, my parents had a hard time getting me away from a football pitch.
      “But it wasn’t something I knew I loved until some friends took me to a local club, Killamarsh Dynamos, then it became my focus.
      “It opened up a whole new world to me aged nine and without playing when I was little, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
      “It’s heartbreaking to hear that some kids won’t get the same opportunities because their parents can’t afford it.”
      Lionesses training at FA’s national football centre todayCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      HAMILTON IN ESSEX LEAGUE
      LITTLE Hamilton Hunt put Joey Essex through his paces — five months after he could barely walk.
      The six-year-old, who has developmental difficulties in his legs, got his confidence back thanks to volunteers at Broomfield Football Club in Chelmsford, Essex.
      Tyreece knocks a ball past Joey Essex at Broomfield FC’s training groundCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      His mum Skye said: “Coming here has been life-changing for Hamilton and me.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The Sun’s grant is being used to help cover pitch hire and training costs for staff.
      Joey also handed out a new team strip paid for by art business Quantus Gallery, owned by James Ryan.
      The Towie star lines up with Hamilton, in blue hat, and his palsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      Joey continues to join in with Essex club’s kidsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      What if VAR was just a ploy to bring breaks into football to make money from advertising?

      by

      SOON after VAR was introduced, those in favour of it and those against it divided into two distinct groups.If a decision went the way of your team, you liked VAR. If a decision went against your team, you were against VAR.
      VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under new plansCredit: Getty
      What about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?Credit: AFP
      The advantage of this was that we all had a try at being in each group.
      We’re shallow like that, us football fans. We even laughed at our own shallowness, chanting: “**** VAR, **** VAR, **** VAR” over and over again when it had disallowed our team’s goal.
      But then, perhaps only minutes later after it had disallowed the other team’s goal, we’d chant: “Love VAR, love VAR, love VAR.” It was all very funny.
      But now the laughing has stopped. VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under plans by football law-making body IFAB.
      READ MORE FROM ADRIAN CHILES
      You don’t even get opposing fans goading each other when decisions go against the other lot.
      Because we all know it will be our turn in a minute. It has dawned on us all that it’s ruining the game and we’re all going to be on the losing side.
      As a West Brom fan, I ought to be enjoying watching Wolves on the receiving end of one terrible decision after another.
      There were three more howlers for them on Monday night at Fulham.
      Most read in Football
      And I just feel plain sorry for them, even angry on their behalf. Yes, a West Brom fan annoyed on behalf of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
      This is what it’s come to. Each well-meant tweak to VAR’s operation only seems to make matters worse.
      In the interest of eliminating errors, every micro- second of footage is pored over in ever more forensic detail. And what do we seem to get? Yes, yet more howlers.
      Before VAR, we only had the man in the middle to blame.
      And hard though it sometimes was, we generally found it in our hearts to forgive them their mistakes because they were, after all, human.
      By the same logic, we can’t forgive VAR because it feels like it’s not human. It’s to do with bewilderingly clever technology and was set up specifically to counteract the fallibility of humans.
      Except, of course, even this logic was flawed as it’s become abundantly clear the technology is only as infallible as the humans in charge of it.
      We’re told the development of Artificial Intelligence might result in humans being taken out of the picture completely. In terms of VAR, that could get really interesting.
      Perhaps it’s only the human involvement saving VAR from destruction at the hands of the football mob.
      Imagine if, instead of humans looking at screens at Stockley Park, there was only a super-clever AI mega-machine.
      If this super-computer then started making mistakes, I honestly think football fans could end up marching to Stockley Park and tearing the thing limb from limb, or from chip to chip, or whatever the machine equivalent is of human physiology. And AI will end there and then.
      The question is whether VAR can survive long enough for things to get that far.
      Perhaps it’s time to write the whole thing off as a noble idea that, despite everyone’s best efforts, simply couldn’t be made to work.
      Terrible mistakes
      Or perhaps they should stop it for a year in the hope that we’ll go back to despairing of terrible mistakes and demanding video technology all over again.
      To try to make sense of the current VAR chaos, I tried a mental exercise.
      I considered who it could possibly suit to have longer and longer VAR checks ruining the flow of the game.
      And I have an answer. An answer which, I must admit, amounts to nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
      I therefore ask you to disregard every word of the following paragraph.
      Here’s my conspiracy theory: While we’re all busy worrying about the influence on our game of troubling regimes in oil-rich countries, we’re forgetting to be concerned about the effect on football of the growing amount of American investment.
      Around half of the Premier League’s clubs have American money in them.
      If they’re in it for the love of the game, that’s nice.

      If they’re in it to make money out of the game, that’s not quite so nice.
      And what about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?
      I’m sure they’d be chuffed to bits if we switched to playing four quarters instead of two halves.
      And here’s the conspiracy bit — what about if these VAR checks got long enough to accommodate a commercial break?
      You can just imagine it: Will the goal stand, or will it be disallowed? Join us after the break to find out.
      Or no penalty given! But will the ref change his mind? He’s on his way to the monitor! Sit through this message from our sponsor and we’ll tell you what the referee decides.
      As I say. Disregard the previous paragraph. It couldn’t happen, obviously. More