Spitting, faking injury and VAR... what fans hate most about modern football
Telegraph Sport’s Thom Gibbs shared his top 10 gripes about modern football on Monday, including left-field kick-off times, toxic fandom, stadium music and pedantic refereeing.
In response, Telegraph readers shared their frustrations via the comments section and by responding to the Telegraph Football Newsletter – with VAR topping the list.
In our exclusive Telegraph poll, the majority of voters believed VAR was the worst thing about football today.
Read on for other causes of frustration.
‘VAR is the worst thing that’s happened in my 85-year-old life’
Readers were largely in agreement about VAR. Neil Cumins said: “Many years ago, I predicted VAR would kill the spectacle of football. I haven’t watched a Premier League game since it was introduced. What’s the point when goals can’t be celebrated?”
Jane Lindsay-Green said: “The lack of excitement when a goal is scored because of VAR checks kills the passion and enjoyment of watching live football.”
Vincent Saunders was equally unimpressed: “VAR is the worst thing that has happened in my 85-year-old life. Players are allowed to make mistakes, otherwise goals would never be scored, yet referees are expected to be perfect. Why? I know football is now a business rather than a sport. I find the product far less entertaining to watch. Inevitably once you allow a VAR to be involved he will want to be making decisions in a studio many miles removed from the action to justify his existence. Classic example of tail wagging the dog and unaccountable to anyone on the day.”
‘Spitting on TV sets a bad example for children’
Many readers condemned antisocial behaviour, such as spitting, and agreed that it was unprofessional.
Christopher Moniz called out the “so-called elite sportsmen” for “spitting and blowing their noses directly on to the pitch in front of TV cameras”. He said “it is setting a bad example to children, some of whom mimic them on the streets”.
In a similar vein, Mike Laugher suggested “an immediate red card” for coaches who spit in the dugout. “They stand still for ninety minutes, so why do they need to spit?” he insisted.
‘Why bother having a touchline at all?’
Others expressed disgust about the level of foul play and misconduct seen on the pitch.
Of foul throws, Rob Taylor said: “Every game will have at least half a dozen throws with the player’s foot over the line. You see it every weekend especially when someone adds a run-up.
“Worse are the ones with a whole foot over and sometimes the ‘lino’ will be a couple of yards to the side of the player and not even notice. Why bother having a touchline at all?”
P.A. Cuddy added “shirt pulling and wrestling” to the list. “The referee sets the bar. Where in the laws does it say that is OK? Either apply the laws or amend them.”
Echoing this view, Brian Dyson said: “Blatant foul play that takes place at almost every corner kick; players wrapping their arms around an opponent; blocking another player’s run and the referees ignoring it.”
Nigel Bleach, a self-proclaimed Spurs fan for “50 frustrating years”, shared via the football newsletter: “Routine blocking of quick free kicks by players standing one to two metres from the ball without being booked. It slows the game and penalises the attacking team. Book them all – as per kicking the ball away.”
Also shared via the football newsletter, by Rod Beatson, was the “propensity for professionals to ‘take a dive’ when, irrespective of the merits, they think they can fool the referee. This is not a new phenomenon, but it has got a lot worse”.
‘I can’t think of another sport where professionals feign injury’
A number of readers, such as John Smith, bemoaned players faking injuries during games: “The tactics are boring, the players diving and crying out in pain at every little touch.”
In agreement, Damon Laws said: “I can’t think of another sport where professionals feign injury.
“Grown men rolling around the floor like they’ve been shot in the knee. Then they mysteriously pop up full of beans when they realise play has not been stopped and the ball is coming their way.”
Iain Saville has noticed “the fake head injury ploy becoming more common – and is quite effective at killing momentum of the match”.
‘Take the incentive out of wasting time’
Readers also expressed disapproval of time wasters.
Iain Saville proposed having a “dedicated timekeeper” to keep the game moving. “Stop the clock for VAR decisions and take the incentive out of wasting time,” he suggested. “Time is never fully recompensed at the end of matches.”
Graham Crossland, via the football newsletter, weighed in: “Goal celebrations – the obligatory knee slide followed by the whole team gathering in a corner of the pitch. At least two minutes wasted, referees seem to condone it. It happens at National League level, too!”
Another reader of the football newsletter, John Gasper, similarly disapproved of “over-the-top goal celebrations which go on for ever”.
Deciding golf was more his cup of tea, Ivan Blake wrote: “Football is slowly becoming unbearable and unwatchable. I doubt I’ll ever go to Old Trafford again.”
-
Ten most irritating things about modern football
Football is a broad church with room for a wide variety of opinions. In practice, that means we have all developed bespoke lists of the things we hate most about it.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Arsenal beat Chelsea, but what was the referee and VAR doing?
Arsenal overcame Chelsea in a vital win, but baffling refereeing decisions – including a missed penalty and a dangerous stamp – left fans questioning PGMOL yet again.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty I...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Charles Barkley roots for SEC teams in March Madness, but 'I hate Alabama in football'
Charles Barkley is an SEC fan. Except he hates Alabama football. See what the former Auburn basketball star said about the Crimson Tide:Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Celine Dion warns fans about 'fake and not approved' AI-generated music credited to her
Celine Dion warns fans that 'new' music circulating online was generated by AI, not by the singer. 'These recordings are fake and not approved,' her team says.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 10 -
How modern football’s exploitation model brewed fan resentment | Jonathan Wilson
Supporters have marched in protest at a number of Premier League grounds. It’s not hard to see why they believe their game is being taken away. On Sunday, thousands of Manchester United fans ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
New football stadiums can promise a lot - but do they deliver?
Architects say the brand message clubs want to promote is a central part of modern stadium design.BBC News - Mar. 16 -
Q&A: Will Chelsea get a new stadium and a world-class striker?
Here are some more of your Chelsea questions for BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella. Chelsea recently held an in-person consultation with a group of fans about the stadium where few ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
What Ryan Williams thinks about Alabama football quarterback battle
Here's what Ryan Williams said about Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in Alabama football's quarterback battle.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Josh Thomson shares biggest issue with modern-day fighters compared to his era
In a lot of ways, look: Josh Thomson is just gettin' to that stage of life. Thomson turned 46 this past fall. There's a stereotype that exists of the generation ahead complaining about the ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
More from Yahoo Sports
-
ASK IRA: Did Tuesday vs. Heat show how much Jimmy Butler needs Stephen Curry?
Q: Well, at least we know now that Jimmy Butler will have to ride Steph Curry’s coattails, because just like with the Heat, he couldn’t get it done by himself. The Heat had the best player on the ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Russia is again barred from figure skating worlds. Will the 2026 Olympics be different?
Prior to Russia's ban from international figure skating, the Russians had won more medals at the world championships than any other country.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Ex-Broncos quarterback believes he can become a starter again
Former Broncos backup QB Zach Wilson believes he can become a starter again in the NFL.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Logan Fife ready to be 'the guy' who fixes New Mexico State's quarterback problems
The Aggies hope someone fixes their QB woes from last season. Meet Logan Fife, the man who could potentially do just that.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins compares Kansas City Chiefs to John Cena
During a recent media appearance, #WWE Superstar Seth Rollins compared the Kansas City #Chiefs to John Cena | @EdEastonJrYahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
ASK IRA: Did Tuesday vs. Heat show how much Jimmy Butler needs Stephen Curry?
Q: Well, at least we know now that Jimmy Butler will have to ride Steph Curry’s coattails, because just like with the Heat, he couldn’t get it done by himself. The Heat had the best player on the ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Russia is again barred from figure skating worlds. Will the 2026 Olympics be different?
Prior to Russia's ban from international figure skating, the Russians had won more medals at the world championships than any other country.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Ex-Broncos quarterback believes he can become a starter again
Former Broncos backup QB Zach Wilson believes he can become a starter again in the NFL.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Logan Fife ready to be 'the guy' who fixes New Mexico State's quarterback problems
The Aggies hope someone fixes their QB woes from last season. Meet Logan Fife, the man who could potentially do just that.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins compares Kansas City Chiefs to John Cena
During a recent media appearance, #WWE Superstar Seth Rollins compared the Kansas City #Chiefs to John Cena | @EdEastonJrYahoo Sports - 16m