PREMIER LEAGUE referees’ boss Mike Riley is backing Arsene Wenger to help make VAR work.
The Frenchman, 70, was named Fifa’s new chief of global football development earlier this month.
Mike Riley is backing Arsene Wenger to help sort out the ongoing problems with VAR in his new role with Fifa
Among the former Arsenal manager’s responsibilities will be a role as Fifa’s lead man on changes made by the game’s law-making body the International FA Board.
Wenger makes his first Ifab appearance at their annual business meeting in Belfast next month.
And under-pressure Riley believes he can be a key ally in sorting out global VAR issues.
Wenger was a long-term advocate of VAR before its arrival.
Riley said: “Arsene’s appointment is a really good opportunity to talk to people and influence them.
“I have no doubt those conversations will be taking place.”
Premier League chiefs want to join forces with counterparts in Australia and the USA to persuade Ifab to drop a ban on broadcasting conversations between VAR officials and referees.
We’re trying constantly to balance accurate decision making with not impacting adversely the experience in the stadium.
Mike Riley
The Prem is the only league which shows video clips to explain why decisions have been overruled.
Riley added: “We’re in constant dialogue with a number of countries about how we might improve various aspects of this.
“Each country has its own flavour of what they think is top of the agenda and what we can lobby Ifab for.
“Collectively we’re in the same place. From my side we must improve consistency of decision making, the efficiency of the process and stadium communication.”
Prem fans will see the first step when information is put on stadium screens from next month to explain why a VAR check is under way.
But Riley confirmed Ifab has set out a firm position to dismiss the idea of managers being able to “challenge” decisions.
Before this weekend’s fixtures, despite complaints of long delays, 97 per cent of VAR checks have been completed within 90 seconds.
Riley conceded: “It’s a fair point to say sometimes it takes too long.
“We’re trying constantly to balance accurate decision making with not impacting adversely the experience in the stadium.
“We have to do it as efficiently as possible and the better we get at the process and the more we learn, the more we can reduce time taken.”
It was another day with plenty of big decisions in the Premier League by the VARs yesterdayCredit: AFP or licensors
Premier League refs stunned after chief Mike Riley says he’s ‘well pleased with how VAR is operating’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
