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      Major change to VAR could come in next season and fans have been asking for it for ages

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans could be able to listen to conversations between referees and VAR next season, according to reports.Supporters have been calling for the ability to hear what is being said for ages to help their understanding of why some decisions are being made.
      Supporters could be able to listen to conversations between referees and VARs from next seasonCredit: Getty
      The change could give fans more understanding as to why decisions are being madeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      However, discussions between players or managers and referees will be kept confidentialCredit: PA
      It has also been pushed for by PGMOL boss and former Premier League referee Howard Webb since he started his current role in December.
      The aim would be to reduce confusion around controversial calls and give fans more appreciation toward referees and VARs.
      Especially in decisions such as the Kaoru Mitoma goal for Brighton against Tottenham that was incorrectly ruled out for handball.
      The Daily Mail has reported that football lawmakers IFAB would have “no problem” making audio recordings available to the public.
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      However, they would only be able to be heard after the games have finished and not broadcast live.
      The report also suggests that Premier League clubs are “open” to the idea as well as the officials.
      Although it is very unlikely to be implemented before the end of the current campaign.
      The report says that this is because managers would want to hear audio from decisions earlier in the season that have gone against them.
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      Fans would only be able to listen to conversations between stadium officials and those at Stockley Park.
      But they would not be able to hear the talk between the managers or players and referees such as Jurgen Klopp’s discussion with Paul Tierney during the win over Tottenham, these are considered confidential.
      There would be hope that with more transparency and accountability there will be fewer mistakes.
      This season PGMOL has issued at least ten apologies to clubs for getting decisions wrong this season, including three to Brighton.
      MLS’s refereeing body PRO publishes audio after every match round and did so while Webb was working in the United States.
      It is called ‘Inside Video Review’ and is published on PRO’s YouTube channel. More

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      Fans say ‘we need this in the Premier League’ after referee gives ‘game-changing’ interview live on TV

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      FOOTBALL fans are calling for post-game referee interviews after a “game-changing” example arrived from France. Officials have been under increasing pressure this season after video assistant referees increasingly fail to appease furious supporters.
      Jeremie Pignard is a well-regarded referee in the French leagueCredit: AFP
      Despite the VAR technology, frequent mistakes have still been made and experienced ref Lee Mason even quit the PGMOL after a high-profile error in February.
      Expert ref Howard Webb returned to England halfway into the season to try and get on top of England’s struggling refereeing body but has had a mixed time of it.
      Fans think they know a way to improve the system and have renewed calls for post-game interviews with refs.
      This was after taking inspiration from Amazon Prime, who managed to interview Ligue 1 official Jeremie Pignard after he took charge of a recent league match.
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      Appearing next to the TV presenter and pundits after the game, the man in the middle eloquently explained why he controversially allowed a Nantes goal to stand despite strong claims for handball.
      Pignard said: “If it’s really the lower biceps, like right here. Depending on what muscle.
      “That may not be the same for everyone. We can see it in the action, and this is why I took my time.
      “These kind of decisions are so important. The VAR reacted very well, sending me the footage so I can watch the action again. Every detail counts in those kind of moments.”
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      The ref’s detailed and compelling explanation of his thought process left fans convinced it should be the next step in England.
      One said: “I’ve been calling for this for years…referees in England get away with so much & have 0 accountability.”
      Another added: “Would be great to see this in all matches. Might not satisfy everyone but at least would help take the heat out of some contentious decisions.”
      While fan lauded the broadcaster for getting the referee on air as they said: “Amazon at it again with the referee interviews, game-changing.”
      And another football follower simply said: “@PGMOL … take note.”
      The Amazon interview follows another first earlier this year as a referee at the Club World Cup explained his VAR decision to fans inside the stadium.
      Fans were also left surprised when one referee in a women’s game brandished a white card as part of a new initiative. More

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      Jose Mourinho has revealed he’s started wearing a WIRE for his own protection

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      JOSE MOURINHO has revealed that he has started wearing a wire to “protect himself”.The Roma manager made the shock admission following his side’s match against Monza.
      Jose Mourinho has revealed he has been wearing a wireCredit: Reuters
      As he wanted to ‘protect himself’ from referee Daniele ChiffiCredit: AP
      In the same comments he also claimed that referee Daniele Chiffi was the “worst” that he had encountered in his career.
      The Italian official sent off Mehmet Zeki in the fifth minute of injury time for a second bookable offence during the 1-1 draw.
      The result left Mourinho frustrated as Roma’s hopes of European football took a big blow.
      And he hit out at the referee after the game and demanded that Chiffi not officiate Roma games in the future.
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      The former Manchester United and Chelsea manager also claimed he was wearing a wire for that match so that any interactions he and the official had were recorded.
      He said: “I am not stupid, I had to protect myself. Everything is recorded.”
      It is not the first run-in Mourinho has had with Chiffi this season.
      The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager was sent off by the referee in September after his side were denied a penalty against Atalanta.
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      Mourinho also appeared to criticise his own club for not having “the strength” to tell Serie A that they do not want the referee.
      He added to DAZN: “This was the worst referee I have encountered in my entire career.
      “Believe me, I have dealt with many bad referees. Usually, when I talk about referees, it is because they have a direct influence on the game.
      “In this case, I don’t think that is true. But he is horrible. He makes no human connection with anyone, he has no empathy, he gives a red card to a player who slips because he is exhausted at the 96th minute.
      “Unfortunately, this too is a sign of Roma’s weakness as a club, because we do not have the strength of other clubs who can say we don’t want this referee.
      “I stopped working 20-30 minutes from the end, because I knew he would give me a red card for anything.
      “There are clubs that say I don’t want this referee and Roma either don’t have this capability or the DNA or anything else.
      “It’s horrible, with the few players I have in my squad, I could not get a red card.”

      Roma now sit seventh in the Serie A table, two points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan.
      However, the club has a worse goal difference than AC Milan and Atalanta. More

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      Fulham star claims ref told team-mate Liverpool penalty WASN’T a spotkick as fans fume at Nunez ‘dive’

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      FULHAM star Tom Cairney claims that referee Stuart Attwell admitted that he’d botched Liverpool’s penalty decision last night.The Reds beat the West Londoners 1-0 courtesy of Mo Salah’s 39th minute spot kick at Anfield.

      Darwin Nunez went down after Issa Diop dallied on the ballCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
      Fulham protested that there was no contact between Diop and NunezCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
      The penalty was awarded after Darwin Nunez nicked the ball from dallying defender Issa Diop, although replays showed that contact was minimal.
      After the match, Cairney fumed: “I thought we played very well at times, but to lose to a penalty that wasn’t a penalty is always a kick in the you-know-whats.
      “At the time, I wasn’t sure. The ref made a decision, I thought he’d seen contact. I asked him on the pitch, ‘please just make sure they check it.’
      “He said they checked it, but he said second half to one of our players that it wasn’t a penalty, so it’s frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision.
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      “Issa Diop hasn’t touched him, Nunez has taken another step and then gone over, and then you lose to something like that at Anfield which is frustrating when we’re trying to climb as high as we can.”
      The incident also enraged Fulham fans online.
      One wrote: “That’s painfully awful by Diop but also a dive by Nunez.”
      While a second fumed: “There was no contact!”
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      Mo Salah converted the resulting spot kickCredit: Getty
      Salah celebrates his penalty, which turned out to be Liverpool’s winnerCredit: Getty
      A third tweeted: “Issa Diop vs Darwin Nunez is the ultimate battle of the chaos footballers.”
      And a fourth huffed: “There’s absolutely ZERO contact from Diop on Nunez. How on earth are they giving penalties now when there’s no contact?”
      Another added: “How is that a penalty for Liverpool against Fulham. Diop didn’t touch Darwin Nunez. They didn’t even need VAR to check that. This league man.”
      The result saw Liverpool climb to within four points of fourth-placed Manchester United, albeit having played two games more.
      Fulham, meanwhile, stayed tenth – but slipped to five points behind ninth-placed Brentford.
      ‘IT IS EMBARRASSING’
      After the match, Cottagers boss Marco Silva blasted the penalty decision as “embarrassing”.
      He told the BBC: “When you lose a game in football to that penalty, is embarrassing.
      “When you have the referee, then the VAR to help the referee, it is embarrassing.
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      “I didn’t speak with the referee. I think my players and everyone that is honest will say the same.
      “I will listen over the next few days if it is a harsh decision but for me it is clearly not a penalty. The player is already in the air.”
      Marco Silva blasted the penalty decision as ’embarrassing’Credit: AFP More

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      Jurgen Klopp finally reveals what Paul Tierney said to anger him during Liverpool’s thrilling win over Tottenham

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      LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed what Paul Tierney said to him during Sunday’s game against Tottenham. Klopp raged at the officials during the thrilling 4-3 encounter at Anfield.
      Jurgen Klopp has revealed what Paul Tierney said to him during Liverpool v TottenhamCredit: EPA
      Klopp was not happy with Tierney and Co during Sunday’s clash at AnfieldCredit: Reuters
      He launched a scathing verbal assault on referee Tierney after the match, fuming: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us.
      “He has said there [are] no problems but that cannot be true.”
      And this came after Klopp charged at fourth official John Brooks following Diogo Jota’s late winner – with him appearing to suffer an injury in the process.
      But the Reds boss has now revealed what Tierney said to him to trigger his anger.
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      Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s match against Fulham, Klopp said: “Paul Tierney came over to me, I didn’t expect for a second a red card, and he said: ‘For me it’s a red card but because of him (the fourth official) it’s a yellow’.”
      The comments post-match left PGMOL bosses, who ar ein charge of refereeing, fuming, with Klopp set to be hit with an FA ban.
      In a statement, the body said: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.
      “Match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system.
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      “Having fully reviewed the audio of referee Paul Tierney from today’s fixture, we can confirm he acted in a professional manner throughout including when issuing the caution to the Liverpool manager.
      “So, therefore, we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper.”
      However, Klopp admitted his temper got the better of him in the exchange and revealed he expected to land a reprimand as a consequence of his actions.
      He added: “I know Paul Tierney is not doing this on purpose, absolutely not, but we have this history. It hasn’t happened intentionally but it’s still there.
      “I really regret the headlines I created. I have no clue what happens now. We haven’t heard anything yet.
      “I probably have to expect a punishment. The red card I got against City was in the same spot, foul against the same player, Mo Salah.”
      Regardless, Ref Support UK CEO Martin Cassidy has urged the FA to slap Liverpool with a POINTS DEDUCTION because of Klopp’s comments.
      He told the Express: “Unless the FA start addressing this behaviour with a points deduction it will never change.
      “Giving Liverpool a £30,000 fine is nothing. Start giving them points deductions and watch them shut up and behave.

      “We believe that will be one of the silver bullets right across football to address right up from grassroots to the Premier League.
      “There have been touchline bans for decades, but it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse.” More

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      Arsenal fans dreaming of Premier League title after secret omen comes to light ahead of Man City clash

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      ARSENAL fans are dreaming of the Premier League title after spotting an omen in their favour ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Manchester City.The Gunners go into the match leading their title rivals by five points, but with City possessing two games in hand.
      Arsenal fans think they have found a positive omen ahead of their clash with Man CityCredit: Getty
      Anything other than an Arsenal win at the Etihad will see Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions remain favourites to win the title yet again.
      But Gooners online reckon they’ve spotted something that may give them an edge.
      Michael Oliver has been appointed as referee for the match.
      The 38-year-old has officiated Arsenal four times this season… with Mikel Arteta’s side winning every time.
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      Oliver took charge of the Gunners’ 3-2 triumph over Liverpool in October and their 1-0 win at Chelsea in November.
      He was also in charge for the 3-1 victory over West Ham at the Emirates in their first game back after the World Cup in December.
      While most recently he oversaw their 4-0 win over Everton on March 1.
      Spotting the pattern, one Arsenal fan wrote: “He’s a top referee.”
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      Michael Oliver has taken charge of Arsenal four times this seasonCredit: AFP
      While a second joked: “Ohhh now I can sleep rest assured of City red card in the 1st half.”
      A third added: “He’s the best ref in the prem. Glad he’s reffing such a massive game.”
      Despite their record with him in the middle this season, the omen may not favour Arsenal as much as they think.
      As it turns out, they have lost 16 times with Oliver as referee since his Prem debut in 2010.
      Only West Ham, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have lost more Prem games officiated by Oliver.
      Manchester City have twice been officiated by Oliver this season.
      He was in charge for their 2-0 win at West Ham last August, as well as their 6-3 Manchester derby trouncing of United in October.
      Oliver took charge of Man City’s 6-3 win over Man UnitedCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Constantine Hatzidakis to return to action for first time after ‘elbowing’ Andy Robertson for crunch Man Utd clash

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      PREMIER LEAGUE official Constantine Hatzidakis is set to return to action following his encounter with Andy Robertson.Hatzidakis had been suspended pending an investigation after his alleged elbow against Robertson in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on April 9.
      Andy Robertson was caught after Constantine Hatzidakis threw his elbow backCredit: Enterprise
      The incident occurred in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at AnfieldCredit: Enterprise
      Hatzidakis will now return to his Prem duties this weekCredit: EPA
      But the FA announced earlier this month they would be taking no further action against Hatzidakis.
      They said: “We have thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence in relation to the recent incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will be taking no further action.
      “Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and PGMOL, as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”
      Hatzidakis also released a statement of his own revealing he had directly spoken to Robertson to apologise about the incident.
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      He said: “I have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open & positive conversation.
      “It was not my intention to make any contact with Andy as I pulled my arm away from him and for that I have apologised.”
      Following the conclusion of the investigation, Hatzidakis is now set to return to his Prem duties this weekend.
      Hatzidakis will be an assistant ref during Manchester United’s crunch clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.
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      But before that, the 38-year-old will also be helping out on VAR for tonight’s relegation six-pointer between Leeds and Leicester.
      During his absence from England’s top flight, Hatzidakis officiated a Championship match between Preston and Blackburn. More

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      Fans in hysterics as Andy Carroll ‘does the hand of God on a yellow card’ before being SENT OFF as he celebrates ‘goal’

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      ANDY CARROLL left fans in stitches after being sent off while celebrating a “goal”.The Reading ace had wheeled away in celebration after putting the ball in the net against Championship promotion hopefuls Luton, only for the ref to book him for a deliberate handball.
      Andy Carroll wheeled off in celebration after ‘scoring’ against LutonCredit: Rex
      But the ref spotted a handballCredit: Getty
      And showed Carroll a red cardCredit: Getty
      The whirlwind incident left fans in hystericsCredit: PA

      It would have been his second goal of the night, but the referee had other ideas.
      Official Tim Robinson gave Carroll, who had been booked earlier in the first half, his marching orders after spotting a handball as the 34-year-old scored.
      Fans rushed to social media to share their thoughts on the incident.
      One fan said: “That is the most Andy Carroll 5 minutes ever 😂😂,” while sharing a screenshot of Carroll’s whirlwind five minutes since netting the opener in the 51st minute.
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      A second fan joked: “Andy Carroll too funny man, bro did the Hand of God when he’s on a yellow card😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.”
      “God bless Andy Carroll,” declared a third.
      Others were less pleased with the former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham star.
      One fan vented: “What an idiot Andy Carroll is if he’s genuinely handled that.”
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      While another fumed: “Never want to see Andy Carroll in a Reading shirt again.”
      Luton then managed to score an equaliser thanks to Carlton Morris’ 81st-minute effort.
      The result leaves Luton third in the Championship, while Reading remain in the relegation zone. More