Sheffield / Stockholm. SVT expert Jonas Ericsson is among those who have criticized the way VAR technology has been used during EC.
UEFA responded that camera support is greater than during EC men’s matches and the Champions League.
“It is a shame that UEFA lied rather than admitting that they did not do the right thing,” Jonas Ericsson wrote for Sportbladet.
A major row erupted over the VAR during the European Championships in England.
Sweden national football team and former world referee Jonas Erickson He is among those who have criticized how video review is used for decision-making situations.
Sweden had five VAR goals during the tournament, three from Stena Blackstenius and two by Rebecca Blomqvist.
The fact that there will be half as many cameras as men’s cameras a year ago caused the Swedes to react strongly.
Striker Kosovare Aslani says “catastrophic”. “Unacceptable,” says Captain Peter Gerhardson.
According to Jonas Ericsson, the margin of error can be up to 13 cm with the system used at the European Women’s Championship.
UEFA responded to the criticism, saying “TV production for the European Championship is on par with the record for the men’s Champions League. Most importantly, VAR camera support in the European Championship is higher than in the Men’s Champions League and European Championship due to the availability of additional stealth cameras and EPTS cameras.” .
“You should be fired”
Jonas Ericsson was on a plane and could only reply via text message when the Sportbladet arrived.
UEFA’s response made him even more annoyed: “If it’s the case (which I’m really asking about until I see a general picture) that UEFA has more VAR cameras in women’s EC than in men, then who should be shot? Put the cameras. Currently. She has completely missed what is interesting and relevant to the VAR appreciation.”
The EPTS (Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems) cameras mentioned by UEFA are all about an electronic performance and tracking system.
“Counting EPTS for VARs is like counting managers as available players. Of course they are off the bench. But they can’t help playing,” Jonas Eriksson wrote.
“Not done properly”
There is also data from SVG Europe which provides, among other things, industry news in television production.
SVG Europe explains in its documentation and graphics that in the men’s EC there was a minimum requirement of 36 cameras per circuit, but in the women’s Championship less than half, 15 cameras are required to reach the approved standard.
Requirements were increased to 16 cameras for the quarter-finals and increased slightly to 17 cameras for the semi-finals and 19 cameras for the final at Wembley in London.
“Beside. Facts. See photos and available links. Gentlemen had 36 cameras. Ladies 15 cameras. UEFA lied badly instead of admitting that they actually didn’t do the right thing. How can 15 cameras provide more support? For VAR over 36? After all, both events had EPTS – so it can’t be compared,” Jonas Erickson wrote.
Regarding Sweden’s 2-1 win over Switzerland in the second group stage match, Rebecca Blomqvist’s goal was wrongly ruled out in the last minutes for offside, then it was about incorrectly drawn lines.
After the match, Sweden submitted a letter to UEFA that it was not satisfied with the situation.
The Swedish national team management chose not to publish this response from UEFA.