Hackett: it’s now varcical
FORMER Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called for a major VAR overhaul following the latest controversies in the Premier League.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford had a goal ruled out for offside against Crystal Palace last weekend and then officials at Stockley Park awarded Leicester a contentious penalty in their win over Wolves.
Aston Villa were also denied a firstminute opener against Arsenal after another VAR decision in farcical circumstances.
Now Hackett (below), the former Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief, claims referees need better guidance from Stockley Park.
He said: “What VAR should do is put some balance back in the decision-making process, but the way it is being operated is flawed.
“The reason I say that is that you can have Mike Dean, for example, refereeing an intense game on a Friday night and then the following day he’s on VAR.
“There is no physical recovery, and he’s thrown straight into ano another game in front of the television s screens.
“Then you have got the difference i in relationship b between the senior and junior referees. “For example, the other week we had a young referee, David Coote, making an error, and running the line to an experienced referee.
“He probably thinks, ‘Well, the referee is there or thereabouts, he must have seen it, I’m not getting involved’.
“Therefore I believe the system isn’t the problem, but there are areas where the use of the system can be greatly enhanced. I think there should be a panel of former referees at Stockley Park.
“I also believe they should operate a system identical to how it works in rugby union where the whole interrogation of an incident is totally transparent.
“Fans are able to watch the big screen and listen to what is being said and how the referee comes to the decision, whatever that decision is.
“I think it’s making a mockery of the game because of the shortfall in the people who are operating it.”
Hackett has called for changes in the offside law which has ruled out so many goals on debatable evidence.
He said the benefit of the doubt in tight decisions has to go to the attacking player. “I think that can be achieved. We want a law change. It needs to happen,” he said.