Impact of VAR in FPL

As an FPL manager one has to take into consideration a lot of factors while setting up the team throughout the season.Thanks to the Premier league decision to implement Video Assistant Referee(VAR),the whole dynamics of selecting players in FPL has now changed. Goals will now be under heavy scrutiny for offside and even the finest margin can lead to a goal being disallowed,Defenders will be under more scrutiny for fouls inside the penalty box and the smallest contact or handball will attract a card and penalty, same way attackers also will be under the VAR watch if they look to simulate inside the penalty box to try and win a penalty.

PSG VS MANCHESTER UNITED,PARC DE PRINCES,UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16:

Manchester United where awarded a penalty upon VAR intervention in injury time for a handball by Presnel Kimpembe, Marcus Rashford went on to convert the spot kick to take united through to the next round. In all likely wood without VAR the penalty wouldn’t have been awarded, this changes the dynamics of selecting players in this years Fantasy premier league. Defenders who go hard on the ball are more likely to be punished for questionable challenges.

MANCHESTER CITY VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS ,ETHIAD, UCL QUARTER FINALS:

The game went from, ‘An injury time winner, Raheem Sterling has done it!!!!!’ to ‘Spurs win on away goals in a whisker after the Sterling goal was rightly disallowed offside after VAR intervention’.You can expect a lot like this over the course of the season so be ready to be disappointed when your captain has scored or assisted a goal which is later disallowed.

Penalty takers and dead ball specialists are more likely to enjoy extra chances to take an aim at the goal, so you need to check on your squad to see if you have a few penalty and free kick takers because you shouldn’t regret about the decision after missing out on crucial points.

While selecting defenders go for the ones who are not too physical for instance never consider a player like Smalling who tends to get physical during corners and free kicks which normally goes unpunished,But with VAR in play this year it is better to avoid players who are too harsh and reckless.

Also it is safe to avoid attackers who have a history of diving inside the box to get a penalty, if the penalty is awarded by the referee it will be under VAR review immediately and if found simulating the penalty decision will be over ruled and upon consultation with the on field referee the player might attract a yellow card as well.

SCENARIOS WHERE VAR WILL BE USED:

VAR will be used for ‘Clear and obvious ERRORS’ in four areas

• Goals
• Penalties
• Direct Red cards
• Mistaken Identity

Unlike the women’s World cup VAR will not be used for goalkeeper encroachment at penalties in the premier league.

VAR will be controlled from the VAR hub in Stockley park,West london the decision will be displayed on the big screens across 18 stadiums which have big screens.Fans at Anfield and Old Trafford will be made aware of the decision via scoreboard and PA as they do not have big screens in the stadium.

VAR = MORE PENALTIES. And it is important to have penalty takers in your FPL teams. With the pre season about to come to an end ,we will be updating you with the list of penalty and free kick takers team wise.

Thanks for reading:)