League and refs to hold VAR crisis talks

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are due to hold talks with top-flight referees on Thursday following another weekend of VAR mayhem. The meeting will provide a progress report on how the introduction of the technology has gone in the first two months of the season. But it is believed there will be a particular focus on the games played at the weekend, in which there were a number of controversial VAR interventions. These included Brighton being awarded a penalty after what appeared to be minimal contact on Aaron Connolly from Everton defender Michael Keane and Arsenal defender Sokratis (right) having a late winner disallowed against Crystal Palace for following a tangle between Calum Chambers and Luka Milivojevic just before the goal. There were also debatable VAR decisions during Manchester United’s 3-1 victory at Norwich on Sunday, when the visitors were awarded two penalties. VAR was discussed at yesterday’s Premier League meeting of directors of football. It is hoped Thursday’s talks with Professional Game Match Officials will give referees a chance to air their views on how the implementation of VAR has gone and decide how the use of the technology can be improved. The meeting could also discuss the possibility of referees being able to use the pitchside VAR monitors. In the 100 Premier League matches this season, there have been 26 overturned decisions. However, due to the existing policy, there has not been one instance in which the referee has consulted the screen to review a decision. After his side’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arsenal manager Unai Emery called on officials to be permitted to use the monitors. He said: ‘We have cameras by the pitch but I don’t remember a single referee going to check on the touchline.’