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      New Premier League VAR rules for 2021-22 season revealed with thicker lines on offside and radical handball changes

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      THE Premier League returns this Friday as Arsenal travel to new-boys Brentford.And therefore it surely won’t be long before VAR is the hot topic on everyone’s lips again.
      The Premier League is heading into its third season with VAR in placeCredit: Getty
      The new rules behind how the technology will be implemented have been confirmedCredit: BT Sport

      The technology came in for its fair share of stick last season with the infamous ‘armpit offsides’ ruling out goals, harsh handballs punished and penalties galore.
      So SunSport rounds up what is changing, what is staying the same and what the experts are saying ahead of the third Premier League campaign with VAR…
      THICKER LINES
      The big one is the lines used to determine offsides will be thicker – moving from the 1mm ones that were too thin for the tech available to the ones seen on TV which are reportedly 5cm wide.
      This worked well at the Euros and essentially should help remove the ridiculous calls that were literally by fractions of an inch offside, therefore giving the benefit back to the attackers.
      Thicker lines will be used to determine the tight offside calls – rather than the 1mm ones used beforeCredit: Sky Sports
      PGMOL boss Mike Riley told the Premier League website: “Effectively what we have done is given back 20 goals to the game that were deemed offside last season by using quite forensic scrutiny.
      “So it’s the toenails, the noses of players that were offside – they won’t be offside now.”
      GET OFF SCREEN
      In previous seasons, fans watching on at home on the TV could see the lines being ‘drawn’ on the pitch as the VAR at Stockley Park reached their decision.
      This often led to screenshots getting shared on social media, often inaccurately, and further criticism.
      From now on, though, TV viewers won’t see that and will just be given the final decision.
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      ARMPIT AMBIGUITY
      Fifa have clarified where offsides will be measured from.
      And it is the bottom of the armpit. Right…
      CALL FOR HANDBALL
      One of the other major shifts is in regards to handballs.
      The Premier League say accidental handballs in the build-up to goals will no longer be punished – but are offences if they directly create the chance that scores or scores the goal itself.
      Refs get to make the call on whether a defender has made himself ‘unnaturally bigger’Credit: Sky Sports
      There is also a change to the wording around making the body ‘unnaturally bigger’.
      In its simplest form, there is no specific shape that would be classed as ‘unnatural’.
      This gives the referee greater scope to make a call based on the actual movemnet of the player and his body’s momentum.
      PENALTY PULL BACK
      A record 125 penalties were given in 2020-21 Premier League season but the adjustments to referee directives means that is likely to drop this term.
      It is not just about whether there is clear contact for a foul to be awarded, but whether the referee deems that contact to be enough to impede the attacker.
      Referees will have more of a say whether or not the contact in the box was enough for a penaltyCredit: AFP
      Riley said: “It’s not sufficient to just say there was contact. Contact on its own is only one element the referee should look for.
      “If you have clear contact that has a consequence, it’s a foul – but if you have any doubts in these elements, they are unlikely to be penalised.
      “You also want it to be a proper foul and not the slightest contact that someone has used to go over to get a penalty.”
      EARLY FLAG CATCHES FORWARD
      There is a bit more leniency for assistant referees with clear offsides.
      Rather than waiting for the passage of play to be over before eventually raising their flags, they can put it up earlier if there is no immediate goalscoring opportunity.
      This will no doubt be popular with the players, managers, fans, referees – well, just about everyone really.
      KANE CANED
      Harry Kane often gets criticism for backing into a jumping defender to win a free-kick or penalty – often knocking the airborne opponent off balance.
      This will now be recognised as dangerous play so the player doing the backing or nudging will be penalised.
      Harry Kane has forged a reputation for winning fouls by backing into jumping defendersCredit: AFP
      Riley added: “Again, it’s that interaction between the centre-forward and centre-half.
      “If either player is using their centre of gravity to knock somebody off theirs, that’s dangerous. And that free-kick should be the other way around.”
      SUBS STANDARDS
      Top-flight managers will again be able to name up to nine substitutes.
      However, they can only make three changes to their team mid-match.
      Two concussion replacements are also available.
      In the EFL, it is back down to seven named subs on the benches.
      QUALIFIED QUARTET
      Lastly, four new referees have been promoted to the Select Group 1 of officials who can take charge of Premier League matches.

      Australian Jarred Gillett becomes the first overseas ref added into the top squad.
      He is joined by Michael Salisbury, Tony Harrington and John Brooks in getting the call-up from the EFL.
      Lee Mason becomes the first dedicated VAR and will no longer be officiating on the pitch after 15 years in the top flight.
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      Jarred Gillett from Australia is one of four new faces added to the Select Group 1 of refereesCredit: PA
      Bruno Fernandes caught moaning about referee for VAR delay in secret tunnel footage leaked from Man Utd’s final loss More

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      Watch bizarre moment referee Keith Stroud blows KISS to match ball at Fulham against Middlesbrough leaving fans confused

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      REFEREE Keith Stroud is clearly as delighted as anyone to see the new season – and bizarrely blew a KISS to the match ball ahead of his game on Sunday.The whistler took charge of Fulham’s 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
      Keith Stroud blew a kiss to the match ball ahead of Fulham vs MiddlesbroughCredit: Sky Sports
      The referee certainly kicked off the new Championship season in styleCredit: Sky Sports
      He completed the move with a swift throw and catch of the ball at Craven CottageCredit: Sky Sports

      And as he led the teams out of the tunnel, he performed the hilarious gesture before picking the Championship ball off the plinth at Craven Cottage.
      To top it off, Stroud did the classic collection – throwing it up and catching it with both hands.
      Even his assistants looked a bit confused by the antics – and unsurprisingly, fans on Twitter were also baffled.
      One wrote: “You just know he was practising it last night in the bathroom mirror.”
      Another said: “The strut, the kiss, the ball collection. Football referees are back.”
      A third simply added: “The Keith Stroud Show.”
      And a final user commented: “Keith Stroud is back, baby.”
      It is not the first time the 51-year-old from Hampshire has been spotted demonstrating his love of the beautiful game.
      In August 2019, Stroud kissed the ball as he walked out for Salford City’s Carabao Cup clash with Leeds.
      ‘MINI MIKE DEAN’
      And last September he was at it again ahead of Watford vs Middlesbrough.
      At least this time he was more Covid-safe by blowing the kiss rather than giving the ball a big smack with his lips.
      Many compared the move to the original celebrity ref, Mike Dean, who has forged a reputation for his eccentric style on the pitch.
      The Football Ramble said: “You thought Mike Dean was a showman, but bet he’s never blown a kiss to the match ball like Keith Stroud did today has he.”
      Paul typed: “Dean-esque showboating for the cameras. Makes me cringe.”
      Karl added: “Mini Mike Dean.”
      And James joked: “Oooooft he’s set the bar high on day 1 of the season. Can’t wait for Dean’s response.”
      With the Premier League not underway until Friday, Dean had the weekend off – and made the most of it by heading to Prenton Park to watch his beloved Tranmere take on Walsall.
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      But on the hour mark, when one of the assistants went down injured, Dean raced to the rescue by stepping in as fourth official.
      Dean could have a rival in the top flight this season, though, with fellow referee Kevin Friend showing early signs of form in pre-season.
      The Leicestershire-based official hilariously booked the crowd during Bristol City’s friendly against Aston Villa after the travelling fans chanted ‘You’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ at him.
      It is not the first time he has demonstrated his affection when leading the teams outCredit: Rex
      As well as a 2019 Carabao Cup clash, Stroud did it again at Vicarage Road last seasonCredit: Sky Sports
      Ref Kevin Friend gives crowd yellow card after they chant ‘you’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ More

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      Who is Slovakia vs Spain referee Bjorn Kuipers and how many European Championships has Dutch ref officiated?

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      SLOVAKIA and Spain will be handled by one of Europe’s most experienced referees as they face off in Seville.Bjorn Kuipers will take charge as he returns to tournament football following his appearance at the World Cup three years ago.
      The Dutch ref is part of Uefa’s elite groupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Who is Bjorn Kuipers?
      Kuipers, 48, is vastly experience and has been reffing since 2002.
      He began in the Dutch leagues and worked his way up the ranks, becoming a Fifa listed ref in 2006.
      He eventually joined the Uefa elite list in 2009.
      Kuipers remains a fixture of the Dutch Eredivise, as well as high profile European competitions – where he most famously took charge of the Champions League final in 2014 between Real and Atletico.
      Referees will have VAR to assist them in RussiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Chelsea fans may remember he sent off Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 2015 Champions League, after being surrounded by nine Blues’ players.
      And he took charge of this season’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
      In 2018 he refereed Atletico Madrid in a final again, as Diego Simeone’s side beat Marseille 3-0.
      And the same year he went to the World Cup, refereeing England’s quarter-final win over Sweden.

      Has he officiated at the European Championship before?
      Kuipers is extremely experienced, having officiated at both Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.
      In 2012, he was forced to suspend a group game between Ukraine and France thanks to an electrical storm.
      And in 2016, he refereed the quarter-final between France and Iceland. More

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      VAR to use ‘thicker lines’ in Premier League in bid to give advantage back to attackers after offside controversies

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      VAR officials will use ‘thicker lines’ to rebalance Prem VAR calls in favour of attackers from next term.The decision to change the way Stockley Park operates offside calls was agreed by the 20 Prem clubs at their AGM in Harrogate.

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      Clubs chiefs heard a presentation from refs’ boss Mike Riley following the survey of clubs, players, managers and fans.
      And while a working party will be set up to draft guideline principles for what should be determined as penalty offences, Riley and his officials will implement the new system on offside calls.
      It means that the ‘defensive line’ will be drawn thicker than the one pixel width of the attacking line, intended to cover around 10cm of real space.
      Riley and Prem chiefs believe this will give more margin of error for attackers, who will effectively be allowed to be marginally in front – by up to 10cm – of the last defender and still be deemed onside.
      Fifa and law-makers Ifab are understood to have given their approval after world chief Gianni Infantino admitted some correct calls were now too tight and not necessarily in the spirit of the game.
      The decision is likely to be a two-season sticking plaster aimed at making VAR more acceptable to fans and is expected to speed up decisions.
      But the Prem, which is already trialling the semi-automatic ‘robo-ref’ offside calls, would be likely to adopt that technology, which uses computerised skeletal framing of players, from the 2023-24 season.
      Meanwhile, following a series of contentious spot-kick calls last term, the working party will be constituted as soon as possible to put together the penalty guidelines.

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      Club bosses agreed the ‘bar’ for what is deemed a spot-kick offence needs to be raised after fans and players alike complained of too many ‘soft’ penalties being awarded last term.
      The meeting was said to have been ‘polite’ despite the underlying tensions caused by the failed Big Six breakaway attempts.
      But those issues have not gone away and will continue to play a role going forwards.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Bruno Fernandes caught moaning about referee for VAR delay in secret tunnel footage leaked from Man Utd’s final loss More

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      Karren Brady: Refereeing in the Premier League is worse than ever as West Ham have ANOTHER red card rescinded

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      FOR THE second time this season a West Ham player has been cleared after being sent off.First in February it was Tomas Soucek who was relieved to be told the referee had made a wrong decision and then this week it was Fabian Balbuena.
      Fabian Balbuena was shown a shock red card last weekend which has now been rescindedCredit: Rex
      Each time after the referee had consulted a touchline screen link with VAR.
      Cynical refereeing judgment perhaps played a part. But it is the current system of pressurising refs by implication that warrants the equivalent of a red card.
      The Stockley Park mob, blinking in front of an array of screens, may get more offsides right although, goodness knows, they often do so to the fury of people who don’t see any sense in arms or shirt sleeves being involved.
      The refereeing itself has been poor this season, possibly the worst I have seen in the Premier League.
      No doubt there will be statistics that prove me wrong but, subjectively, I can remember no time when the whistle was so out of tune with the game.
      VAR was sold to us as a way of perfecting decisions.
      These two red cards alone proved the opposite: not until the refs were requested to look at the screen did sendings off seem even a possibility.
      Especially since both the incidents took place right in front of the ref’s own eyes.
      Mike Dean wrongly sent off Tomas Soucek in FebruaryCredit: Reuters
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      But despite that, both took the VERY broad hint from Stockley Park — and thrust out red cards to the amazement of the players and disgust of millions  of viewers.
      Of the Balbuena incident against Chelsea, manager David Moyes said the decision was ‘rank, rotten’, adding: ‘I think it’s been made by somebody who has never played the game.’
      And, yes, he’s absolutely right. VAR never played a game and never will.
      Anger at London Stadium or in any other quarter in no way excuses the death threat to Mike Dean, who has sent off seven players so far this season, or anyone else. Such stupidity only redirects sympathy.
      Referees are bound to make mistakes, most of us are grown-up enough to understand that, and VAR was intended to take some of the weight of responsibility from their shoulders.
      It has, a little, but its replacement is fury at some of the rubbish meant to be impartial judgment.
      Crazy offside rulings are one thing, unwarranted sending off of players is quite another.
      To Soucek, it was defamation. Our midfielder had not previously been sent off in more than 200 games and there he was walking off the pitch after a pure accident. It was Dean who sent him to the stands at Fulham.
      David Moyes was fuming at the decisionCredit: PA
      Sofiane Feghouli was red carded in 2017… another that was chalked offCredit: Getty – Contributor
      His career is studded with such incidents, including another involving my club in 2017 when his dismissal of Sofiane Feghouli was rescinded.
      Six out of the seven of our more recent appeals have been accepted, although four of those were pre-VAR, facts which imply that things are no  better and no worse than they were.
      Refs spurred by VAR seem more willing to show yellow cards, many for tackles that once were taken for granted.
      So far this season in the Premier League no fewer than 955 have been flourished, many justified but some laughable.
      Paul Tierney is averaging no less than four in 20 games, and here’s a stat if you like, Martin Atkinson has awarded an average 0.09 penalties a game to Anthony Taylor’s 0.48.
      Penalties, obviously cannot be rescinded.
      VAR’s influence is now so great that 108 have been awarded and the record number for a season is going to be burst wide open. West Ham have had only a measly three.
      Football isn’t about justice, we know. But neither is trial by television.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      David Moyes says the red card in West Ham’s game against Chelsea was a rank and rotten decision More

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      Brave referee Sapir Berman comes out as transgender and set to undergo gender reassignment surgery

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      BRAVE referee Sapir Berman has come out as transgender and is set to undergo gender reassignment surgery.The Israeli official, 26, is in her second season as a top-flight official, having worked her way up her country’s pyramid.
      Brave Sapir Berman addressed the media at a press conferenceCredit: AP
      Berman, 26, will now begin gender reassignment surgeryCredit: AP
      But Berman, whose birth name was ‘Sagi’, will now start officiating games as a woman.
      And in a press conference this week, she revealed that she has gratefully received large support from the Israeli football comminuty.
      Having begun living publicly as a woman three months ago, Berman told reporters: “I always saw myself as a woman, from a young age.
      “I realised society will not accept me, will not be on my side, so I continued like this for nearly 26 years.
      “I decided to come out and to show who I am, first of all to myself, for my soul.”
      Players have been receptive and respectful, addressing her by the correct pronouns even when moaning about decisions on the field.
      And she is grateful for their response, adding: “It shows me there’s change in society.”
      The Israeli FA have also done their bit to make Berman feel accepted, taking to social media to release a supportive message.
      Berman has refereed in the Israeli top flight for two seasonsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sapir_berman/?hl=en

      Their tweet read: “We have a new Referee, Sapir Berman. The first Referee to be transgender. We are so proud!”
      Berman has now been given separate dressing rooms to her male counterparts.
      And managing director of Israel’s referees association Jair Teper added: “The gender identity is of no importance to us, what counts is only the skills on the football field.”
      Berman isn’t the world’s first transgender referee, with British official Lucy Clark having come out back in 2018.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Referee orders players back from dressing room after blowing whistle a minute early in Sevilla’s win over Granada More

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      Rebecca Welch was DELIGHTED to get grief while making ref history in League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale

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      REBECCA WELCH revealed players ‘chewed her ear off’ when she made ref history earlier this month.She became the first woman to officiate an EFL match from the start in the League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale.
      Rebecca Welch says she was delighted when Harrogate and Port Vale players started ‘chewing her ear off’Credit: Rex
      She became the first woman to officiate an EFL match from the start in the League TwoCredit: Reuters
      And despite the constant clicking of cameras to capture the momentous day, she was delighted when the players started giving her grief.
      Welch, 37, said: “The players didn’t treat me any differently – they were still chewing my ear off as they went past.
      “That was nice because I was a bit afraid of them not being like that.
      “You want players to go, ‘You got that one wrong, ref,’ or ‘It’s gone so well in the last 10 minutes’.
      “You need that and when I got it I felt normal and that I could just referee the game.
      “I was sick of hearing the camera clicking, but it’s the nature of the beast.
      “People say it went really well but, for me, it was just a normal game.”
      A whirlwind week has left the Washington, County Durham-born whistler’s mum asking why she isn’t on the telly anymore.
      There are some quality players up for grabs for nothing

      Speaking in a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, Welch added: “In 50 years I’ll be in the history books – it’s really nice but, yeah, it’s a game of football.
      “But I understand the bigger picture that it’s not about one game, it’s about inspiring the next generation to come through.
      “The next step is definitely the Football League (permanently).”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Referee Rebecca Welch impresses on EFL debut as Port Vale win at Harrogate More

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      Prem ref Martin Atkinson reveals ex-Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Martin Atkinson revealed Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with – after the former Arsenal star invited him to ref his testimonial in the Czech Republic. And Atkinson said Alan Stubbs was the toughest player he has officiated, with the Everton hard man “scaring me to death”. 
      Atkinson is a big fan of the former Arsenal favourite after the former midfielder invited him to ref his testimonialCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Speaking at a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, the Prem whistler was asked who he enjoyed reffing most. 
      Rosicky arrived in North London from Borussia Dortmund in 2006. 
      His 10 year spell with the Gunners was hampered by a series of long-term injuries but he won two FA Cups before leaving for Sparta Prague in 2016 and retiring the next year aged 37.
      And Leeds-fan Atkinson, 50, said: “I’ve been lucky that I’ve got on with the vast majority of players but one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky.
      “I always got on really well with him. We just pleasantly got on, not best mates or owt like that but he was always really respectful. 
      “And when he left Arsenal, when he retired eventually, an unknown email came through and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I will go out and referee his retirement game. 
      “You just never expect that and it was just a nice thing.” 
      Atkinson, a former police officer, made his top-flight bow in the 2004/05 season.  
      And he named burly scottish centre back Stubbs as the toughest player to try and keep under control. 

      Asked who he least enjoyed reffing, Atkinson said: “Alan Stubbs at Everton. 
      “He would kick anything that moved, was hard as nails and scared me to death when I first got on. 
      “He was just so tough to referee that it was, like, impossible. I learned a lot from that – you learn how to manage players.”
      No-nonsense Everton defender making a beeline for Atkinson in 2007Credit: Alamy More