The flag which defeated VAR

The life of all football enthusiasts has been revolutionized somehow last summer when the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) entered into our lives. Both the supporters at the stadiums and the ones on their sofas had to get used to this new, bulky presence, the, of course, got just as many consents as critics. And for all who think that VAR is some sort of diabolic tool invented to put the end word to playing football, there may be a good news. In Portugal, a supporter was able to defeat the so hated machine.

Last night, during the game between Aves and Boavista, the third goal of the home team has been assigned in a curious way. The 3-0 of the red and whites have been given even with a suspicious off-side position, a situation that clearly demanded the use of VAR. But that was impossible, as a Boavista flag, placed right in front of the camera that made the shots for off-side positions, prevented a clear visual of the play. In the replay, it can be clearly seen how the waving of the black and white flag prevents the referee assistants to make a certain verdict. 

Now there’s, of course, a small inconvenience: the flag was Boavista’s, the team that in the situation suffered the irregular goal, that could’ve been denied by VAR. But hey, you can’t have everything right? Maybe this particular supporter won’t be thanked by his fellow companions or the players of his team, but he will always be remembered as the first able to defeat VAR.