VERY ANGRY RESPONSES
THERE is no going back on the use of Video Assistant Referees – despite a fierce backlash from supporters.
However, the Premier League admits it could change the rules on marginal offsides, with fans angry at long delays before a decision is made.
Football’s law makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), are meeting in Belfast at the end of the month and will discuss whether to change and increase the margins on offside calls, to allow some extra leeway.
But Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “VAR is here to stay and
TWO-THIRDS of fans believe VAR has made football less enjoyable.
A YouGov survey revealed 67 per cent of supporters are unhappy with the Video Assistant Referee, while six in 10 of those quizzed said it was “working badly”.
Tellingly, the North West – home to both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Everton and Burnley – is most dissatisfied, with 35 per cent rating it as working “very badly”.
Opposition fans have been claiming all season that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is getting the rub of the green on decisions, escaping certainly it’s going to be with us next season. Now 94 per cent of key match decisions are correct, and 97 per cent of VAR decisions are correct, so it is having an impact on the outcome of games, and on the league table.
“As a league we want to work really hard on ironing out those other issues. “Offsides is one, whether you want offsides that are precise to the armpit or the heel, or whether you want to build in a bit of tolerance. That is sort of a technical challenge.
“We are in constant dialogue with IFAB about it and about the way the Premier League does it versus everyone else and what we can learn from other leagues.
“We wanted to make sure it came in and delivered the a penalty being awarded last weekend when TV replays suggested Southampton striker Danny Ings had been tripped by Fabinho.
But the poll of 1,396 adults last week showed 74 per cent want to stick with the system, but would like to see it used benefits but to minimum disruption. The right decision has to be made but also it has to be balanced off against the potential increase in delay. And that is not necessarily a straightforward decision.”
Masters contested the latest YouGov poll, which showed that 67 per cent of fans said VAR has made football less enjoyable.
The Premier League will present its own research on the issue to the clubs at tomorrow’s stakeholders meeting.
Despite ongoing VAR rows and a very one-sided title race, with leaders Liverpool 22 points clear, Masters (left) insists the Premier League has never been more popular. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently poked fun at former chief executive Richard Scudamore better. Lead data researcher Matt Smith said: “Almost every manager’s post-match interview features grumbles.
“Despite much social media hysteria, our research shows a large majority of those watching the games actually want to see it for saying in the past that one team dominating was bad for the competition.
Sky Sport’s viewing figures have revealed that three of the top five mostviewed Premier League games in history have come this season. Masters added: “I remember being asked in the summer if I was concerned that City would go again and win it three times in a row. I said I thought it was going to be close – but I was wrong! “That is the beauty of the Premier League. You can’t even guess what is going to happen for the rest of this season, let alone next.”
Certainly it’s going to be with us next season
You can’t even guess what’s going to happen
reformed over a complete removal.
“In addition, many of the changes discussed among pundits and commentators poll well, with support for time limits on decisions and encouragement for more pitchside screen use.
“One of the major criticisms of the current system is the spectator in the stadium is left in the dark while decisions are made and there is strong support for being able to see footage as it’s being shown to VAR refs, as well as hearing the conversation the referees and the video assistant referees are having.”