Video Assistant Referee: How long do we have to wait for a decision?

Pep Guardiola signals in a past Champions League match [Courtesy]

It is on very rare occasions that we get to see football managers and players jump in defense of a controversial decision made during a match or a person who makes that decision.

Pep Guardiola's sentiments seem to have come from a different script.

The Manchester City tactician, in a post-match press conference branded himself 'a great fan of VAR' despite the system awarding two penalties against his side in a heated clash against Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in a Champions League round of 16 clash on Wednesday night.

The Premier League giants looked be in control of the tie after Sergio Aguero netted early in the first half but the Germans got right back into the game thanks to a penalty awarded after VAR consultation.

A referee looks at a VAR pitch-side screen in a football match [courtesy]

However, the decision was marred with controversy thanks to the pitch-side monitor of the VAR not working.

The referee took over four minutes to wait for a decision from the assistant referees in the dugout and stopped players from protesting only to point at the penalty spot after he had earlier signalling for a corner kick.

The German side were unfortunate to lose the match as late goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling dented their quarter final hopes.

Manchester City players celebrate after scoring vs Shalke [Courtesy]

In Spain, Atletico Madrid also fell victim to VAR indecision after Alvaro Morata's goal, opening his account in Spain was cut short.

Alvaro Morata's jubilation was cut short by a VAR decision [Courtesy]

In the first round of matches, the Ajax players were furious for their opening goal against Real Madrid being disallowed for offside.

All these events have one thing in common, the intervention of VAR.

European football governing body UEFA brought forward the use of VAR in the round of 16 but it has raised a couple of red flags among Europe's elite league due to its controversial nature.

The system's flaws evident in this week's UCL matches have invited criticism from football greats and fans around the world.

Arsenal Great Martin Keown had his say on the VAR flaws [Courtesy]

BT Sport commentator and Arsenal great Martin Keown slammed VAR on time it takes in decision making.

He said "It is the length of time this is taking; the spontaneity of football is in danger of being lost here. We want quicker decisions, please."

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand commented on the system saying:  "This is the problem with VAR. It takes so long to make a decision."

Other football faithful around the world also had their say on the flaws of VAR. These are some of the tweets collected by Game Yetu:?

VAR needs speeding up. Wait far too long for this VAR decision. No communication of process on big screens until final verdict. Boos all round at delay until cheers from Schalke fans when VAR signals handball and penalty. Bentaleb pen 1-1 #SchalkeCity — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 20, 2019

Not a lot of point having VAR if refs need to take 3 mins to know if its a handball or not! Incompetency of the highest order ???? — Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) February 20, 2019

Three minutes to get a VAR decision wrong. Good this innit? — Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) February 20, 2019

When you slow it down everything becomes a penalty/shifty/ evil looking. If you slowed down man landing on the moon VAR would overrule it and book Armstrong — Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) February 20, 2019

VAR is the worst thing to happen to elite football since Roman Abramovich — elliot ross (@FutbolsaCountry) February 20, 2019