# VAR: Inside one of football's most controversial jobs

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-than-the-score-7480348/var-inside-one-of-football-s-most-controversial-jobs
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-than-the-score-7480348/var-inside-one-of-football-s-most-controversial-jobs.md
Podcast: [More than the Score](https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-than-the-score-7480348)
Published: 2026-05-25T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0nmt3n5
Audio file: http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/6/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download-rss/proto/http/vpid/p0nmt08s.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/more-than-the-score-7480348/episodes/var-inside-one-of-football-s-most-controversial-jobs
Duration seconds: 1389

## Resource

Video assistant referees - or VAR - are among the most scrutinised figures in football. Decisions made using the technology have seemingly played huge roles in title races across Europe, and it once again looks set to be a major talking point at the upcoming men's World Cup. But what's it like to do the job itself? Back in November, John Bennett talked to the former referee Graham Scott, who spent more than a decade officiating in the English Premier League before retiring in 2025. He explains how much of an impact the technology has had on the way referees do their jobs, and what actually happens in the VAR team during a game. He also discusses why he feels pressure is growing on the game's officials. More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the World Cup to F1, golf to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like heavyweight boxing champion Fabio Wardley, Tour de France winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, trailblazing Samoan athlete Alex Rose and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

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