Iran coach Carlos Queiroz lambasts World Cup use of video assistant referee system on close calls

“It’s a natural human thing when people make mistakes. VAR was not born to copy human mistakes. VAR was born to make it right,” said Queiroz, whose team had a goal overturned by video review in a 1-0 loss to Spain. “So, it’s not human to implement the system and come out with the same excuses that we had before. This is a question of principle.”

The system, he added on Sunday evening, should only be used to change “clear and obvious mistakes.”

Saeid Ezatolahi’s goal against Spain on Wednesday was overturned after the video assistant referee for the game signalled that a player was offside. There was a long delay before the decision, which arguably cost Iran a crucial point in group B play. Had Iran managed a draw with Spain, Iran would have been level with Portugal atop the group with four points and Spain would only have two points. Such a scenario would have considerably improved Iran’s chances of advancing out of group play for the first time in what is the nation’s fifth World Cup.

In the minds of Queiroz and his players – not to mention a member of Iran’s staff who was hospitalised after the goal was overturned – VAR effectively changed a debatable judgement call, not an obvious mistake.