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      Fans baffled as VAR monitor seems completely BLANK before ref Simon Hooper overturns Everton’s ‘stonewall’ penalty

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left baffled after referee Simon Hooper appeared to watch a BLANK VAR pitchside monitor before overturning a penalty decision.Hooper, 42, had originally awarded a penalty to Everton for an apparent foul on Dominic Calvert-Lewin committed by Brighton’s Lewis Dunk.Simon Hooper appeared not to be watching anything on the VAR monitorCredit: AlamyThere is a back-up monitor in a case below the main one which he watched from insteadCredit: RexHooper originally awarded a penalty to Everton for an alleged foul on Dominic Calvert-Lewin by Lewis DunkCredit: ReutersBut Hooper overturned it after consulting VARCredit: ReutersThe spot-kick would have handed the Toffees the chance to equalise early in the second half.Hooper was called over to the VAR monitor to double-check his decision before he overturned the penalty.However, the main monitor appeared to only show the generic VAR and Premier League logos, rather than a replay of the incident – something Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also picked up on as he protested the call.Fans reacted to the decision with surprise on social media, with one saying: “That is absolutely a penalty on Calvert-Lewin. What an absolutely atrocious decision that is. Dunk drags his foot away.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA second said: “Did Hooper even look at the Calvert-Lewin penalty on the screen yesterday? Pickford looked like he was going mad pointing at the screen to him?”A third added: “Whether Simon Hooper has watched that back on VAR or not, it’s a disgrace to overturn it.”Despite Hooper appearing to have not viewed the screen, the official’s match report said he had watched on a back-up monitor – located on the ground below the main monitor facing upwards.The Premier League match centre account posted: “The referee awarded a penalty to Everton for a foul by Dunk on Calvert-Lewin.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The VAR recommended an on-field review as he deemed Calvert-Lewin’s foot landed on Dunk’s foot and there was no foul. “The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”PREM RULE CHANGESBrighton went on to win the game 3-0, with Ashley Young also sent off late on.Sean Dyche was also left enraged by the decision to overturn the penalty.He said: “I can’t work it out on the penalty. He (the referee) makes a decision in a perfect viewing point and lo and behold is called over to overturn it.”So what is the point of a high bar then? We’ve had meetings about it.”Their player is out of control on the floor and drags his foot along with the top of his foot and the bottom of Dom’s so that clearly pulls him to the ground.”That is contact in the box and we have all seen the tiniest things given as a penalty – someone treads on a toe and they give a penalty. So I think we are all confused by this.”Meanwhile, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said it was “clear” the original penalty call was wrong and should have been overturned. Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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      National League match SUSPENDED as star rushed to hospital after horror tackle

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      A DRAMATIC National League clash between Gateshead and Woking was suspended after a player was rushed to hospital with a serious injury.Just 14 minutes into the game, Woking’s Dion Kelly-Evans clashed with Gateshead’s Greg Olley.National League clash between Gateshead and Woking was suspended as one player was transported to hospitalCredit: X
      The referee promptly issued a straight red card to Kelly-Evans – but thoughts instantly turned to the stricken Olley on the grass.The referee decided to suspend the match and the 28-year-old was taken to hospital.The remaining players were taken off the pitch, with the game stopped for 40 minutes.Both sets of supporters showed their solidarity giving the Gateshead captain a standing ovation. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAs the game resumed the away side’s Kenton Richardson fired his side into the lead.Then in the second half, Mark Benk’s goal sealed Gateshead a 2-0 victory.Speaking afterwards, Gateshead boss Rob Elliott told the club website: “What we do know is that he’s in the right place.”He’s gone to hospital and we’ll just have to see what the situation is, we’ll have to assess that as we go.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We’re into unknown territory here with everything, so we just have to get around Greg to make sure he’s OK and give him the best support.”I’m absolutely gutted and devastated because there’s no need for it to be in that situation.PREM RULE CHANGES”We just have to make sure we’re there for Greggy, support him and take it from there.”Olley’s disastrous injury wasn’t the only one on Saturday.In Nottingham Forest’s season opener against Bournemouth midfielder Danilo also suffered a broken ankle after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge. More

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      When are semi-automated offsides coming to the Premier League?

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans will breathe a huge sigh of relief at the news that video assistant referees will no longer be drawing wonky lines across the pitch.That’s because the English top flight have agreed that VARs will no longer make calls on offside – though they will still be used for other decisions – with Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) coming in for the 2024-25 season.SAOT has been used with great success in the Champions League and Euro 2024Credit: TNT SportsLuis Diaz had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR for offside last seasonCredit: SKY SPORTSFans were left fuming at refereeing controversies like Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham being ruled out and Arsenal being denied a goal at Brentford because of dodgy offside decisions.SAOT technology has been used with great success during the Champions League, 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 – although England fans were gutted at an extremely tight offside call that went Spain’s way in the final.However, despite the joy at an updated offside system, Premier League fans will be made to wait for it.What is Semi-Automated Offside Technology?Sports tech company Genius Sports are the firm behind SAOT in the Premier League.The tech is powered by artificial intelligence and promises to “minimise breaks in the game and deliver accuracy”, helping referees manage games more smoothly and with less controversy.Mikel Oyarzabal scored as Spain won Euro 2024 with a decision that initially looked offsideBut semi-automated offside technology quickly and clearly ruled it onsideEach Premier League ground will have new cameras installed with the GeniusIQ AI system able to create 3D renders of all players, the ball and the offside wall in just seconds.That will enable officials to quickly and precisely make offside decisions – without the need to draw wonky lines on the pitch.Premier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes said: “The introduction of semi-automated offside is an important move to maintain the flow of the game in the Premier League. Most read in Football”We are confident that by using the newest and most accurate technology available we will see the time taken for offside decisions reduced significantly alongside a consistent application of the offside lines. “The experience for all participants including supporters will also be enhanced through quicker communication and clearer imagery around offside decisions.”What are semi-automated offsides?PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in the use of semi-automated offsides from the 2024-25 season.The technology tracks 29 different points on the body of every player.Together with a chip in the football, the tech then can produce almost instantaneous decisions, even on the tightest of calls.These are then visualised with computer-generated 3D images which clearly show the offence on a screen for fans watching the broadcast from home.Referees on the pitch will need to step in and intervene if the offside call is subjective – ie the player in an offside position does not touch the ball.Here’s how it works:Each ground will have up to 12 special cameras with limb-tracking technology.These will focus on 29 goal-scoring body parts from every player on the pitch and will record their position 50 times per second.During the World Cup in Qatar, the microchip in the ball sent back data points 500 times every second to determine the  precise instant it was played by an attacker OR a defenderThat allowed the computer technology to alert the VAR that a player was in an offside position when the ball was playedBut all decisions were then checked to ensure the attacker was interfering with playThe average time for an offside call in Qatar was cut to 25 seconds per incidentIn future, a 3D animation will “show” the decision to fans in the stadium and via broadcasters, and this will be available by the next stoppage in play after the decision.When will Semi-Automated Offside Technology be introduced in the Premier League?The technology is being brought in for the 2024-25 season.However, the cameras have not been installed in grounds around the country so they will NOT be in use for the first few weeks of the season.There is currently no official date for when the technology will be ready to go.That means for the first part of the season, VARs will still be in charge of making offside calls from Stockley Park.The technology is expected to be introduced after one of the international breaks in September or October.Earlier this year, former Prem referee Mark Halsey blasted the decision to have a different technology added after the season had started.He said: “It’s ludicrous we are not bringing this in from day one next season.”The Premier League is awash with money and it needs to be operational for every match.”It’s got to be ready for the season kick-off. We can’t bring it in four, five or six weeks into the season as that will question the competition’s integrity. READ MORE SUN STORIES”If it’s not ready, then wait until 2025-26.”There have also been a couple of other significant changes to the Premier League rule book for next season.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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      Fans will NOT be told which team every referee supports despite huge Premier League row last season

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      FANS will be NOT told which clubs every referee supports during the Premier League season.This is despite the huge controversy surrounding Nottingham Forest last term.Fans will not be told what teams referees supportCredit: GettyThe West Midlands club criticised PGMOL after believing that Stuart Attwell had been biased against them.The official was in charge of VAR as Forest were not given three penalties in their defeat against Everton.The club revealed that they told the Premier League that Atwell was a Luton Town supporter before the game.The result would have boosted the Hatters’ chances of catching their relegation rivals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the club loyalties of match officials will NOT be made known to the public in the 2024/25 season.The FA have since sanctioned Nuno Espirito Santo and Neco Williams for their “misconduct” and “media comments” The manager has been handed a one-match suspended touchline ban and fined £40,000.While Williams has been fined £24,000 and issued a warning for his future conduct.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe 2-0 win for Everton meant that Forest were plunged further into the relegation battle.However, Forest were able to drag themselves to safety before the end of the season.Premier League sides deducted points and others at riskForest’s questions about the integrity of the referees were met with a variety of differing opinions.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “I absolutely disagree [with the Forest statement].”These kind of things happen more and more in every league in the world but of course I never had doubts about that.”The referees want to do the job as best as possible. They feel the pressure, we put pressure on them for the passion of the game for the moment but when I sit here and reflect they try to do their best and are under scrutiny with the cameras there. They make a mistake, they feel bad. It’s normal.”When they do the job, they want to do it well. The game is so difficult, it is fast and quick, decisions have to be made in one instant. It’s not easy.”While many fans on social media supported the club in their actions as they had become disgruntled with refereeing mistakes in the Premier League.Meanwhile, there will be other law changes in the Premier League for the new season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere will be less injury time added for goals, more substitutes will be allowed to warm-up on the touchline and ball boys can be more active.Referees will also allow more concussion subs and encroachment on penalties as well as the placement of the ball on the spot. More

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      Every Premier League rule change revealed ahead of new season with matches to be shorter and new-look penalties

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE returns on Friday as Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford.And the new season will bring with it a whole host of rule changes as the FA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) look to try and improve the game.A number of rule changes have been announced for next seasonCredit: AFPThere will be changes to the amount of added time added onCredit: GettyHere’s all the rule changes for the 2024-25 seasonHere are the seven changes you need to be aware of for the 2024-25 season.Less added timeLast year rule changes saw more additional time added on to punish time wasting, but this saw the duration of games skyrocket over the first half of the season.That was informally phased away as the season went on, with the regular two minutes at the end of the first half and four or five minutes at the end of the second half becoming commonplace.To stop games going on for an excessive duration, only 30 seconds will be added on now when a goal is scored, to account for players making their way back to their own half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Premier League said it is expecting this adjustment will cause a “significant drop” in the amount of additional time this season.More subs allowed to warm upExpect busier touchlines with more players now being allowed to warm-up at once.Previously only three players were allowed to warm-up on the touchline at one time – that has been increased now to five.The change for this campaign corresponds with teams being able to make five substitutions at any period.Most read in FootballMore players will be allowed to warm up at once nowCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBall boys/girls allowed to be more activeDue to Covid-19 protocols, ball boys had been replaced by 10 balls placed on cones around the pitch to help prevent the spread of the virus.After the easing of lockdowns around the world, ball boys/girls were allowed to return, but were still only limited to placing balls back down on cones to then be picked up by players.Premier League sides deducted points and others at riskBall boys/girls will now be allowed to play a more active role in throwing the ball back to keepers on goal-kicks.Outfield players will still have to pick up a ball from a cone though.Ball boys/girls will be allowed to play a more active role againCredit: GettyMore concussion substitutionsClubs will be allowed additional concussion substitutions under new guidelines.The move has been brought in to help protect the health of players.Change to encroachment on penaltiesThe FA have stipulated that “encroachment by players will be penalised only if it has an impact” meaning that those who run into the box during a spot kick, but are not seen to have affected the game, will not be penalised.Penalty ball positionThe Premier League have sought to clarify what position the ball should be on the penalty spot.The new rules state: “Part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty mark” during a spot kick.READ MORE SUN STORIESFewer ‘soft’ handball pensNew rules will attempt to stop so many penalties being given for ‘soft’ handballs.Referees will be allowed to be more lenient on non-deliberate handballs and yellow cards will no longer be automatically given for a pen resulting from a handball.There will be a number of changes to how penalties are officiatedCredit: Rex More

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      Premier League poised to make revolutionary change to VAR that is set to end huge delays in game

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are set to reveal a state-of-the-art VAR update to speed up decisions.The top flight will introduce a new version of the system using semi-automatic offside technology.VAR has had plenty of issues in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyFans have been subjected to long waitsCredit: GettyBosses claim the system – which uses artificial Intelligence – will lead to the best officiating in the world.Technology company Genius Sports which will install 28 special cameras at every Premier League ground. Fans were left fuming at lengthy VAR checks last season.It took nearly six minutes to disallow a West Ham goal against Aston Villa.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWith the average referral taking 64 seconds, games were regularly taking over 100 minutes to complete.Blunders were also an issue last campaign with a Brentford offside missed in the buildup to a goal at Arsenal, and manually drawn lines placed on the wrong Crystal Palace defender leading to a Brighton being disallowed on the SAME DAY.Not to mention the incredible blunder that saw Luis Diaz’s onside goal infamously ruled out against Spurs.Uefa deployed a version of SAOT in the Champions League and it was also in use at the Qatar World Cup.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother huge change to VAR has been announced in the build-up to the season.Fans will now be able to access updates from Stockley Park throughout each match, explaining the decisions made by VAR officials.Man United defender Harry Maguire wants VAR SCRAPPED…except in ONE way and gives Fury vs Usyk predictionThe updates will be provided on Premier League Match Centre, a brand-new X account.An official statement from the Premier League read: “The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.”For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.”The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.”In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.”Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition.”It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.”Wolves’ VAR complaintsWolves have listed nine negative repercussions from the introduction of VAR in their complaint.Impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football specialFrustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communicationA more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAROverreach of VAR’s original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes, now overanalysing subjective decisions and compromising the game’s fluidity and integrityDiminished accountability of on-field officials, due to the safety net of VAR, leading to an erosion of authority on the pitchContinued errors despite VAR, with supporters unable to accept human error after multiple views and replays, damaging confidence in officiating standardsDisruption of the Premier League’s fast pace with lengthy VAR checks and more added time, causing matches to run excessively longConstant discourse about VAR decisions often overshadowing the match itself, and tarnishing the reputation of the leagueErosion of trust and reputation, with VAR fuelling completely nonsensical allegations of corruption More

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      Fans say ‘let the chaos begin’ as Premier League confirms huge change to VAR in 2024-25 season

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      A MAJOR change to VAR has been announced ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.Fans will now be able to access updates from Stockley Park throughout each match, explaining the decisions made by VAR officials.A new change to VAR has been announced ahead of the new seasonCredit: EPAFans will be able to access updates from Stockley Park during gamesCredit: AFPThe updates will be provided on Premier League Match Centre, a brand-new X account.An official statement from the Premier League on Tuesday read: “The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.”For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.”The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.Read More in Football”In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.”Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition.”It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.”The new feature aims to give fans more transparency in the VAR decision making process.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThere have been a number of controversial incidents linked with VAR since it was introduced to the Premier League ahead of the 2019-20 season.Last season, Nottingham Forest sparked a storm after criticising officials on social media.Man United defender Harry Maguire wants VAR SCRAPPED…except in ONE way and gives Fury vs Usyk predictionThe Reds claimed three “poor decisions” went against them during a match against Everton.Managers such as Gary O’Neil and Mikel Arteta have also been critical.Many fans are pleased with the new feature, with one person taking to social media to write: “Few years too late. But progress is progress…”Another commented: “Finally! This is a big step forward.”A third joked: “Let the chaos begin. This should be fun.”While another person was torn, writing: “This could end really well or really badly.”The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend with Manchester United vs Fulham on Friday.VAR: The great debateMartin Lipton’s pro VAR viewFAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.Dan King’s anti VAR viewTHREE cheers and a hearty slap on the back for Wolves chairman Jeff Shi.For mentioning the unmentionable,  for speaking commonsense to deaf ears, for proposing that VAR should be scrapped.Shi is doomed to failure. His suggestion is unlikely to even go to a vote at next month’s Premier League AGM.And if it does get that far, it has a cat in hell’s chance of receiving the two-thirds majority required to carry such a radical proposal.But in one statement on Wednesday, Shi proved that he will be the brightest man in that meeting room.He claimed VAR ‘has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand’.And he is absolutely spot on.The argument against VAR is wide-ranging and yet completely basic.If you believe that football is a sport, to be enjoyed in all its spontaneous, high-tempo glory, then you are against VAR.If you believe that football is a business, that it is far more important than a mere game, that forensic evidence must be applied, that we must reach the closest point to ultimate justice at all costs — and if you also believe that match-going supporters are irrelevant — then you are in favour of VAR. More

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      Jose Mourinho makes dramatic Super Lig debut as huge row sees Special One booked after just 20 minutes

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      JOSE MOURINHO made a fiery start to life in the Turkish Super Lig as his touchline antics caused instant chaos.The Special One is now the manager of Fenerbahce and it didn’t take him long to stir up trouble during the first domestic game of the season.Jose Mourinho was booked in his Super Lig debutHis antics saw him stir up trouble inside 20 minutesCredit: GettyWith just 20 minutes on the clock, Mourinho’s frustrations boiled over with the referee.The ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss was as animated as ever when a decision went against his team, furiously shouting and gesturing at the fourth official.It led to Mourinho being booked by ref Atilla Karaoglan.Fans loved seeing him back in the dugout, with one saying: “Jose, please, never change.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “It’s going to be a very long season.”And a third commented: “Mourinho is gonna pure cinema all season and I must watch.”Away from his antics, Fenerbahce won the game 1-0 against Adana Demirspor thanks to a goal from ex-Premier League star Edin Dzeko.It was the first game of the Turkish Super Lig season – but Fenerbahce’s Champions League campaign is already well underway.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThey beat Swiss side Lugano 6-4 on aggregate in the second qualifying round.But they are in danger of not making the group stage as they are currently 2-1 down to Lille in the next round following the first leg.Mourinho also picked up a yellow card in that match after just ten minutes as he lost his temper again at a referee for booking Dzeko. Watch Jose Mourinho’s crazy Fenerbahce unveiling as thousands of screaming fans light flares to welcome new manager More