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      Karren Brady: VAR has been bad enough, but the government’s new do-gooder regulator will really hamper elite football

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      FOOTBALL is falling foul of so much over-regulation it reminds you of the old workers’ axiom, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.As if VAR hasn’t been controversial enough, the imminent government-appointed football regulator looks set to be another busybody do-gooder that will end up hampering the sport at its highest level.
      King Charles announced plans for a new football regulatorCredit: AP
      VAR has angered fans, players, managers and pundits alikeCredit: PA
      Let’s start with VAR, the sport’s unpredictable instrument of judgment.
      Mikel Arteta’s outburst last week was aimed at the VAR operators who agreed with the referee that Anthony Gordon’s winning goal for Arsenal after an aerial scramble should stand.
      Even though the human microscopes in the VAR hub eventually voted against Arsenal, the length of the delay was an indication of doubt rather than certainty.
      Which says two things to me. First, in many cases, intent is near-impossible to ascertain.
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      Second, VAR operators are regularly asking for an interruption themselves rather than accepting that the ref’s decision should be final.
      Little wonder VAR is now so disliked.
      It is also impersonal — based somewhere in West London — while fans, players, managers, and TV pundits all know their equipment is fairly basic… a generation or two short of AI.
      Two-dimensional TV is Putin-esque — sometimes we can’t believe what we think we see.
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      Because of this, no verdict can ever be relied on as unimpeachable.
      Whatever the angry Arteta thought last Saturday at St James’ Park, had the decisions gone the other way Newcastle manager Eddie Howe would have complained — albeit not so noisily.
      Simply, it was impossible in the few minutes available for VAR to undo the tangle of limbs that made up the full incident.
      The truth is that ref Stuart Attwell had a better view of the incident than a whole crew of spotters checking angles on flat screens.
      Overall it was the half-blind with pictures half-leading the half-blind with a whistle. Yes, half-equipped.
      This technical interference didn’t impress Wolves who have claimed at least four incorrect referee-VAR decisions so far this season — two of them so poor that the refs were dropped to the Championship for a match.
      Wolves manager Gary O’Neil calculates those errors have cost his team SIX points.
      I’m sure the decision to have a regulator will end up as one we regret.Karren Brady
      A more excitable man would have reacted with some colourful vocabulary.
      Ange Postecoglou, too, is measured in his post-match assessments.
      Many people will wonder whether his Spurs team’s 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea was a sign of things to come with NINE incidents having been checked by VAR.
      Postecoglou said: “That utopia where there are no wrong decisions in the game will never exist. It’s our own fault as we complain about decisions every week.”
      Just as referees’ authority is being undermined, the introduction of a football regulator begs the question as to what has happened to the alleged authority of the FA?
      Football’s governing body is being stripped to lesser duties by our politicians and we know what happens when ministers appoint an overseer-cum-bureaucrat-cum-pal to such responsibility.
      The power, success and wealth of the Premier League is envied by our lesser leagues and — more to the point — around the world.
      Stuart Attwell was the referee for Newcastle’s controversial win over ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Gary O’Neil and Wolves have been screwed over by major refereeing clangersCredit: AFP
      While it is right that we should spread some of our money to the EFL and deeper, the Prem is a success story.
      The big question for the EFL is a pretty straightforward one.
      If the regulator — as read out by the King last week — is said to “safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans” why are there no restrictions on what the EFL clubs can do with the money that flows down to ensure it benefits communities and fans?
      The implication of the need for a regulator is that football and the FA are in a mess, when in fact the opposite is true.
      They say, no pain is unbearable — except that of regret.
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      I’m sure the decision to have a regulator will end up as one we regret.
      It is such a short word and yet it stretches forever. More

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      EFL confirm Anthony Taylor made WRONG decision after being demoted… but he’ll still referee Chelsea vs Man City

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      REFEREE Anthony Taylor was wrong to award Preston North End a penalty against Coventry City after being dropped down to Championship games, the EFL confirms.After being demoted from top-flight English football for a mistake in Newcastle’s game with Wolves, Taylor is set to return for the Chelsea v Manchester City game on Sunday.
      EFL confirm Anthony Taylor made the wrong decision in the Coventry City vs Preston North End clashCredit: AFP
      Despite making the wrong call Taylor is set to referee Chelsea vs Manchester City on SundayCredit: Getty
      However, it has now emerged that Taylor made a mistake when he refereed Preston North End’s 3-2 win over Coventry City on Saturday.
      This was the first time in four years he had officiated in the second tier and was involved in a controversial spot-kick decision.
      The 45-year-old ruled that Kyle McFadzean had brought down Milutin Osmajic in the area, but replays showed the Sky Blues captain had made little contact.
      After reviewing the officials’ decisions, the EFL has announced that the penalty should not have been given.
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      Coventry boss Mark Robins spoke on the injustice they faced against Preston.
      Robins said: “Now once or twice we have had decisions that have gone against us and again, we had one go against us with the penalty at Preston.
      “We have had confirmation that it wasn’t a penalty but there’s still a bit of ambiguity around that.
      “So we need to do a little bit more digging on that to get clarity on the decision they have made.”
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      And fans even deemed Taylor should be “demoted to League 1 next weekend” after his dismal performance.
      Taylor was forced to referee Championship football last weekend after giving Newcastle a controversial penalty in their 2-2 draw with Wolves.
      The English official deemed Hwang Hee-chan to have fouled Fabian Schar but replays of the incident showed minimal contact.
      But it has been announced he will make his comeback to the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea, who sit tenth in the league, host leaders City. More

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      Liverpool ace Darwin Nunez angrily PIES referee and Toulouse goalscorer after being left fuming at disallowed equaliser

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      LIVERPOOL star Darwin Nunez angrily pied both the referee and a Toulouse goalscorer.That’s after being left fuming at his side’s disallowed equaliser in the Europa League last night.
      Darwin Nunez pied both the ref and a Toulouse goalscorer after Liverpool’s 3-2 defeatCredit: Rex
      Nunez refused to shake hands after Liverpool had a late equaliser disallowedCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

      Nunez was a sub as Liverpool suffered a 3-2 group stage defeat in France on Thursday.
      Liverpool were 2-0 down before pulling one back through an own goal with 15 minutes left.
      Toulouse made it 3-1 just moments later before Diogo Jota gave his side a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 89th minute.
      And deep into stoppage time, Jarell Quansah pulled the trigger on a fine finish to rescue a dramatic point.
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      However, the goal was eventually ruled out by VAR for a handball committed by Alexis Mac Allister earlier in the build-up.
      The controversial decision left Jurgen Klopp enraged after the final whistle.
      And he was even more angry when he had to hold his press conference in a TENT, allowing Toulouse fans to interrupt.
      But it wasn’t just the Reds boss who was upset by the disallowed strike.
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      Jarrell Quansah’s 97th minute strike was chalked off for handballCredit: Reuters
      Jurgen Klopp had to hold his press conference in a tentCredit: AFP
      Uruguay striker Nunez came off the bench in France and cut an unhappy figure at full time.
      As players from both sides shook hands with each other, Nunez had other ideas.
      He first blanked referee Georgi Kabakovafter, seemingly in protest at Liverpool’s 97th minute heartbreak.
      But Nunez also pied Toulouse goalscorer Frank Magri, who attempted to shake the Liverpool man’s hand.
      However, Nunez simply swiped his hand up in the air in a point-blank refusal.
      And fans reacted on social media to the incident, with one saying: “No outrage from the pundits here.”
      Another joked: “He even missed the handshake.”
      One noted: “Liverpool is a big club, their players should have been trained to respect their opponent and have good sportsmanship.”
      Another added: “Imagine the fume if this happened the other way round, we would never hear the end of how disgraceful it is.” More

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      Paul Merson leaks VAR conversation with Mike Dean that ‘worried me immensely’ after huge controversy

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      FORMER Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has expressed concern that VAR is taking up too much time during games.The Premier League match between Tottenham and Chelsea on Monday was interrupted by VAR several times, leaving some fans furious.
      Paul Merson believes VAR takes up too much time during gamesCredit: Getty
      Merson recalled a conversation he had with Mike DeanCredit: Getty
      In the first half alone there were four disallowed goals, three red card checks and two penalty checks.
      Chelsea had another goal disallowed in the second half, but they went on to win the match 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty.
      Blues fan Merson was thrilled with the result, but in his column for Sky Sports he complained that VAR took too long to come to a final decision on a number of calls.
      He wrote: “Every decision in that game could have been sorted in 10 seconds.
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      “Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was on Soccer Saturday last week and he said something that worried me immensely.
      “He said it doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as we get the right decision. Even when it’s so obvious they’re going to check a hundred times.
      “They’ve got to be a lot quicker. They’re so nervous now about getting it wrong that it’s becoming a bit too much.
      “These ones were pretty obvious. If someone else is up there, they’re getting it right in seconds.
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      “Gary Neville on commentary called every one of them straight away.”
      Premier League officials have come under fire on several occasions this season for various controversial decisions.
      The most significant call occurred during Tottenham’s match against Liverpool in September.
      VAR wrongfully ruled out Liverpool’s opening goal after Luis Diaz was adjudged to be offside when he wasn’t. More

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      Man Utd concede penalty for fourth Champions League game in a row and ref has TWO handballs to choose from

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      RECORD-BREAKING Manchester United conceded a penalty for the FOURTH Champions League match in a row.And the referee had TWO handballs to decide between in Copenhagen.
      Raphael Varane was not penalised for handball as the ball bounced off his thighCredit: TNT Sports
      Harry Maguire struck it with his arm inside the areaCredit: TNT Sports
      A close up reveals where contact was madeCredit: TNT Sports
      The Red Devils were cruising in Denmark thanks to two Rasmus Hojlund goals inside 28 minutes.
      However, after Marcus Rashford saw red, Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for the Danish side in the Group A clash.
      And then deep into 13 minutes of first-half injury time, United gave away yet another spot-kick.
      A cross into the box from the right was flicked on by a Copenhagen forward before Diogo Goncalves got a boot to the ball.
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      That saw it deflect into sub defender Raphael Varane’s thigh and then up on to his hand.
      Varane – who replaced the injured Jonny Evans – was not penalised because the ball ricocheted off another body part before striking his arm, thus not constituting a handball.
      However, the ball immediately fell back to Goncalves’ feet and he flicked the ball up towards goal.
      But Harry Maguire blocked it with his outstretched arm and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot.
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      Goncalves then rolled the penalty home to make it 2-2 in the 54th minute of a drama-filled first half.
      Ironically, in the second half in Copenhagen, United won a controversial spot-kick thanks to another harsh handball – with Bruno Fernandes smashing the effort into the top corner.
      But Copenhagen fought back again and 17-year-old Roony Bardghji scored a dramatic 87th-minute winner to spark wild scenes and brilliant chanting from the home fans.
      However, the latest penalty conceded by United was their fourth in four games in the group stages this season.
      Last time out, in the reverse tie against Copenhagen, Scott McTominay was penalised for a high boot in 95th minute – but was bailed out by Andre Onana’s heroic save.
      Casemiro got sent off for sliding in on Dries Mertens of Galatasaray.
      Mauro Icardid did put his strike wide of the post but moments later got the last laugh when he dinked over Onana.
      And in the first game of the Champions League campaign, Christian Eriksen was on the end of a brutal handball call after a Dayot Upamecano header from point-blank range.
      Harry Kane made no mistake from 12 yards as Bayern sealed a crazy 4-3 victory in Germany.
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      Unsurprisingly, it is the first time since Opta collected stats in 2003-04 that a team have conceded a penalty in their opening four matches of a Champions League campaign.
      But both Leicester City in 2016-17 and Porto last season managed to give away spot-kicks in four consecutive matches in the competition.
      The United defenders appealed against the decisionCredit: Getty
      Diogo Goncalves sent Andre Onana the wrong wayCredit: PA More

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      Mikel Arteta demands rival managers join war on VAR as Arsenal boss refuses to back down over ’embarrassing’ decisions

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      MIKEL ARTETA is calling on his fellow managers to speak out against “the stink in the drawer” of football.The Arsenal boss has been under fire for his emotional reaction to Saturday’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
      Mikel Arteta continued his furious rant against the standard of refereeingCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s goal was allowed to stand after a long VAR checkCredit: Getty
      But he is refusing to back down in his escalating war of words with the Premier League refs over “embarrassing” VAR decisions and insists he will not be silenced in his fight for justice.
      Arteta said: “If you have a problem and you put it in your drawer, the problem is still there and at some point it’s going to stink.
      “So we have to talk loudly to improve things and that’s what we are trying to do.
      “When we are all together for the managers’ meetings, we all share the same feelings about this.
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      “And I am sure I have the support of those managers when they are not directly affected by these decisions.”
      Arteta is still fuming over Anthony Gordon’s St James’ Park winner, although he refused to specify which of the three VAR reviews he disagreed with.

      Arsenal believe the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to the goal, Gabriel was fouled by Joelinton and Gordon was offside when he prodded the ball over the line.
      Arteta is unlikely to face any disciplinary action from the FA because he did not question the integrity of the match officials despite insisting that the goal was “an absolute disgrace”.
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      But Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu appeared to hit out at Arteta’s weekend tirade when he said: “At some point we have to accept the referee’s decision,” following his team’s controversial 4-1 defeat by Chelsea.
      Yet Arteta insisted: “I fully agree that we have to show respect. And that’s what we try to do.
      “But to respect them you need to have a good trust and the capacity to have a conversation and express opinions. That’s what respect is built on.”
      Replays proved inconclusive as to whether Joe Willock kept the ball inCredit: Sky Sports
      Ange Postecoglou seemed to take a dig at his North London rival after Spurs lost to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Jurgen Klopp let rip after the VAR mistake when Liverpool played TottenhamCredit: EPA More

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      Howard Webb set for blockbuster VAR grilling with PGMOL chief to address series of controversial decisions in just days

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      HOWARD WEBB is set for a massive VAR grilling when he addresses the recent set of controversial decisions.The weekend’s football action saw Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta brand the officiating a “disgrace” after his sides 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
      Howard Webb will address the weekend’s VAR decisions in the coming daysCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s winner at Arsenal was controversially allowed to stand
      While the Tottenham vs Chelsea game had a host of decisionsCredit: Getty
      Arteta questioned the competence of referee Stuart Atwell and the VAR team but did not call their integrity into account.
      FA disciplinary chiefs are deciding whether or not to pursue action following his comments.
      The Gunners released a statement backing their manager in light of the controversial decision to allow the goal, though it seems likely he will escape with a warning rather than a fine.
      PGMOL chief Webb will address the complaints in the coming days after another weekend of VAR controversy.
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      He is due to appear on the latest episode of “Match Officials Mik’d Up” which is scheduled to be broadcast at the start of next week in the international break.
      The Gordon goal is expected to be given top billing.
      Webb has addressed glaring VAR mistakes in the past.
      In early October, he responded to Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal against Tottenham and Mateo Kovacic not being sent off against Arsenal.
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      Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle winner being allowed to stand was the most high-profile decision over the weekend’s action before the chaotic Monday evening game between Tottenham and Chelsea.
      The game, dubbed the “maddest game ever” saw a staggering 11 major VAR checks.
      These included four disallowed goals, three red-card and two penalty checks in the first half alone.
      Other games over the weekend where VAR was called into action saw Harry Maguire ruled offside for Scott McTominay’s strike minutes into the Manchester United and Fulham game.
      Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker also described the ruling to award a pivotal penalty to Sheffield United at the end of their match against Wolves as a “stinking decision”.
      Amid another weekend of controversy, Arteta was slammed for his behaviour by the CEO of Ref Support UK, Martin Cassidy.
      He said: “Mikel Arteta’s touchline behaviour is the worst in the Premier League and his behaviour is a large part of the problem in football.
      “He has become a Mercedes version of Neil Warnock.”
      Ange Postecoglou voiced his support for the referee’s when speaking after the Tottenham defeat.
      He said: “You have to accept the referee’s decision, that is how I grew up.
      “This constant erosion of the referee’s authority is where the game is going to get – they are not going to have any authority.
      “We are going to be under the control of someone with a TV screen a few miles away.
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      “The decision is the decision. In 26 years I have had plenty of bad decisions, I have had plenty fall in my favour. It is what it is.”
      Elsewhere, Anthony Taylor will return to the Premier League to whistle Chelsea’s match against Manchester City despite making an error in the Championship. More

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      Arsenal ready to hit Prem refereeing chiefs with dossier of complaints at next showdown after Arteta attack on officials

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      ARSENAL are set to hit the PGMOL with a list of complaints when they next meet with the referee chiefs, according to reports.Mikel Arteta fumed after Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over the Gunners on Saturday.
      Arsenal are set to present a list of referring complaints to the PGMOLCredit: Alamy
      The Gunners feel Anthony Gordon’s goal should have been disallowed at the weekendCredit: Getty
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb has previously issued apologies to clubsCredit: Getty
      Arsenal responded with a statement fully backing their manager, and they are now compiling a list of gripes they have with refereeing decisions stretching back to last season.
      According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal will point to the Gordon decision along with several others as cases of bad officiating against them.
      Among them is the decision not to send off Mateo Kovacic when Manchester City visited the Emirates last month.
      The midfielder twice avoided a red card for dangerous tackles with the Gunners going on to win the game 1-0.
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      Also included in the list is Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford last season when VAR Lee Mason failed to draw the lines to determine whether Ivan Toney was offside when he scored the Bees’ equaliser.
      Another example Arsenal will point to is the decision to rule out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, which the PGMOL later admit they got wrong.
      The PGMOL have already apologised for mistakes this season after incorrectly disallowing Luis Diaz’s goal for Liverpool against Tottenham.
      Referee Anthony Taylor was also demoted at the weekend after awarding Newcastle a controversial penalty against Wolves.
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      Arteta branded the officials a “disgrace” after his side were defeated at St James’ Park.
      He said: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.
      “We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”
      He is now waiting to see what punishment, if any, he will receive. More