Ref chief to back VAR status quo

REFEREES’ chief Mike Riley is set to argue the case for continuing to use pitchside monitors sparingly when he makes a VAR presentation to Premier League chairmen today.

Bosses from the 20 top-flight clubs will gather for a shareholders’ meeting in central London and the implementation of VAR in the 120 matches played so far will be scrutinised and discussed, the PA news agency understands.

There was initial criticism that the video assistant was not intervening enough, with a high bar set on overturning the decisions of the on-field official.

In recent weeks, though, the VAR interventions in overturning on-field decisions have been in the spotlight, with some observers calling for the on-field referees to make greater use of the pitchside monitors.

The decision to use the monitors sparingly was agreed by Premier League club representatives over the summer, as a means to prevent delays.

However, even without using the monitors, there have been long stoppages in matches, such as the delay of over three minutes while a handball claim against Tottenham’s Dele Alli was examined in Spurs’ match at Everton on November 3.

There have been 29 overturned decisions in 120 matches so far – an average of six checks per game.

Riley, the managing director of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) is expected to speak in favour of retaining the current system, but if enough club representatives prefer a change of direction then it may be that the use of monitors becomes more prevalent for the rest of the campaign.