Webb glimpse into workings of Var is just what fans need
In a groundbreaking move for the Premier League, referees chief Howard Webb last night gave a unique insight into some of the key decisions involving Var in an attempt to show supporters how the technology is used and decisions reached.
Some fans will be disappointed that the clips shown on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football were at the less controversial end of the spectrum, but will at least understand the process that takes place a little better.
“We made a commitment to be more transparent,” Webb, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, told presenters Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville. “I think we know and recognise that people want more information about refereeing processes with the advent of Var.
“We want to draw the curtain back and show the viewers and spectators what goes on to making the decisions from a professional group of officials who are working hard to have a positive impact on the game. We are going to do that tonight and hopefully continue to do that as much as we possibly can.
“You will hear a few voices. The on-field officials, the referee and assistant referees, and they are making the on-field decision and then you will hear the assistant Var who are doing the checks on the big incidents. Who are assisted by a technician who gives them all the relevant replays, all the angles they need to look at and whether to intervene because a clear error has been identified or otherwise.”
These were the incidents Webb featured:
Kai Havertz handball v Liverpool: Goal ruled out Assistant referee
“It has come off his chest.”
Referee “On-field decision is a goal as the ball has come off his chest.”
Var “It’s a factual handball, frame it on the arm, it’s clearly arm… Tayls [referee Anthony Taylor] I recommend you disallow the goal. It’s handball leads immediately to the ball in the net.”
Webb “That is Var working as it should be. The Var officials can see something the on-field referees couldn’t see.”
Jakub Kiwior handball Arsenal v Newcastle: Penalty overturned
Var “Kav [referee Chris Kavanagh], we are going to check the penalty for you. Can you confirm that is definitely the arm? Is it not the thigh first? The arm is in a natural position for the action he is making. I don’t believe it should be a penalty.” Assistant Var “I agree mate, it has hit his thigh and he is retracting his arm so I agree it is not a penalty.” Webb “You can clearly see the ball hits the thigh, the shorts move, and the arm is moving back into the body, it’s making him smaller not bigger. The ball might brush the arm after hitting the thigh, but he [the referee] thought the arm was out making himself bigger. It’s a good use of Var. We sent him over to the monitor as he still had a judgment call to make.”
Joelinton offside decision West Ham v Newcastle: Goal given Assistant referee
“I’m delaying… offside.”
Var “OK, so this is really close I’m going to need lines on this. Defender No24 please and I will need to check the defender on the far side as well. This is tight, we will need to use crosshairs. He’s clearly the last defender on the far side.” Assistant referee “Wow, that was tighter than I thought.”
Webb “They have learned to delay the flag if it’s close and there is an attacking opportunity. This is a really good example of why we delay.”
Leandro Trossard goal Leicester v Arsenal: Ruled out for foul
Var: “Goal awarded on-field.” Assistant Var “The goalkeeper is
asking for it [a foul] but he is the only one.”
Var “Ben White’s arm is holding on to Danny Ward’s glove. Can you see that from the goal cam?”
Referee “Ok, holding, holding.”
Webb “When we see the angle Craig could never get there is no doubt it’s a clear foul.”
Ivan Toney penalty v Brentford: Incorrectly allowed to stand Assistant Var
“On-field decision is a penalty.”
Var “OK checking, yeah there is
enough in there, enough in there to support that. Check complete.” Webb “The penalty that was awarded for the arm across the chest, that is a credible penalty award. There is no reason to believe that is a clear and obvious error. But we are not only checking the last action, we are checking the whole attacking phase that leads into the decision that is reviewed, a possible offside and a possible foul. And what we see on this is a foul by Ivan Toney just before he is fouled.”