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      Premier League fans vote for major rule changes they would make including VAR scrapped and offsides gone

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      FOOTBALL fans revealed what they would change about the beautiful game – including bigger goals, an all-star match and fans live voting for substitutions. And scrapping VAR was not the No1 priority – with better scheduling and travel support for away games among the top picks. Football fans had their say on the changes they want to seeCredit: GettyPlenty of supporters want to see the back of VARCredit: PAA poll of 2,000 adults who attend football matches found 54 per cent think their away-day experience could be improved as fans bemoan inconvenient kick-off times and not being able to drink at their seats.One in four fans felt that better scheduling of away games should become a key focus for rulemakers. Two-thirds (67 per cent) reported increasingly feeling like an ‘afterthought’ from football’s authorities, with trouble tracking down tickets also among the reasons even the most loyal football fans miss out on attending games.But the most in-demand change was to introduce a salary cap for all teams. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe research was commissioned by UK shot brand, Fireball, which whisked away four Salford City fans with a thrilling helicopter ride to and from their team’s recent match against Newport County.Ex-England star and club co-owner Paul Scholes also surprised the supporters as they headed off on the 400-mile round trip to South Wales.He said: “We wanted to show fans that we massively value their support both home and away, and want to make the game day experience as fun and exhilarating for them as possible.“We’re already known for offering subsidised away travel, something which this research shows football fans clearly care about.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAccess to safe standing within football grounds emerged as one of the top three changes that fans want.Meanwhile, 19 per cent think managers should be able to challenge refereeing decisions.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowAnd more than a tenth (12 per cent) would be happy to see an ‘All-Star’ game, made of two sides featuring the league’s best players.Among the more bizarre responses to what changes fans would like to see in the game were adding half-time musical performances (ten per cent) and half-time cheerleader displays as standard (13 per cent).There were even suggestions of live tweets and memes displayed around the pitch and binning offside altogether as well as fancy dress-themed matches and even the chance for regular punters to take to the field.The typical respondent who took part in the study by OnePoll.com stated they watch as many as 11 games live each year, with 70 per cent believing it is important for football rules to adapt and evolve in line with modern technology and play styles.Top 20 changes football fans wantIntroduce a salary cap for all teamsGreater travel support from clubs in getting to away gamesBring back/increase the number of safe standing terraces in stadiumsBetter scheduling of away gamesBanning VARAllow managers to challenge refereeing decisionsBan foreign ownership of clubsLetting fans drink alcohol at their seats in stadiumHalf-time cheerleader showsCreate an All-Star game with the league’s best playersDigital billboards showing funny football memes and live tweets mid-gameGetting rid of offsides so there are more goalsThe chance for regular people in the crowd to get brought onto the pitchSuperbowl-style half-time musical performancesPost-match fireworksLetting fans decide substitutions by live-votingIntroduce pre-game penalty shootouts to break potential tiesIncrease goal sizes to encourage more goalsIntroduce multi-ball for the last ten minutes of the gameFancy-dress themed matchesLorenzo Farronato, spokesperson for Fireball Whisky, said: “Our research has shown that the match-going experience isn’t always a party, especially for away games that often involve long journeys, late nights and high costs.“We think game day – as well as all other experiences shared amongst friends – should be fun and that fans should always come first.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Football is a dynamic and evolving sport, and fans are always seeking ways to make the game even more exciting.“We brought the heat to midweek for Salford fans, we’ll continue to infuse more fun and mischief into the moments they share with us.”Drinking in view of the pitch was another top priority for manyCredit: FireballPaul Scholes surprised four Salford City fans with a helicopter ride to and from NewportCredit: FireballCheerleaders were key for some supportersCredit: AFP – GettyFancy dress even made it into the top 20Credit: PA More

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      ‘Do they know the law’ slams former Prem ref as he says VAR got Bruno Fernandes red card WRONG in Man Utd defeat

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      FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey claims Bruno Fernandes was incorrectly sent off during Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday.Fernandes saw red in the 42nd minute of the match following a challenge on James Maddison.Bruno Fernandes was sent off during Man Utd’s clash with TottenhamCredit: ReutersThe midfielder caught James Maddison’s shin with his boot after slippingWhile lunging in for a tackle, the 30-year-old slipped and caught the side of Maddison’s shin with his boot.Referee Chris Kavanagh immediately brandished the red card, leaving both Fernandes and manager Erik ten Hag baffled.VAR agreed with the on-field decision to confirm the United captain’s dismissal just a few moments before half-time.However, ex-Prem ref Halsey believes a review should have been recommended instead.Read More in FootballHe told SunSport: “It was a tough one for Chris Kavanagh because in real time it did look like a poor challenge.”So we cannot be critical of Chris in that situation. When I saw the challenge again, I thought straight away – it’s not a red card.”If we look at the law for serious foul play, a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent with excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.”Whether the challenge is a lunge from the front, the side, the back, it must be sanctioned as a red card.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Now that, for me, that challenge didn’t meet the criteria of serious foul play.”What you can be critical of is VAR because when you look at it again and you see it again, it’s not.Bruno Fernandes rages in live TV interview after being SENT OFF for first time in Man Utd career vs Tottenham”The challenge doesn’t meet the criteria. Yes, he slips and it’s the back of his heel that goes down the side of his shin pad. But for me, when VAR look at that and they confirm the decision, I’m looking at that and thinking, do they know the law?”So in my opinion, I think it was a wrongful dismissal. Had VAR afforded Chris Kavanagh another look, so recommended a review, then I’m sure that Chris would have changed his mind and Bruno Fernandes would not have been sent off from the field of play.”So I believe that Manchester United have got a strong case for an appeal and they should do that.”Halsey went on to criticise PGMOL chief Howard Webb for his poor handling of some decisions so far this season.He continued: “They look at red cards and you can upgrade them from a yellow to red. You can downgrade a red to a yellow now. That’s what should have happened here.”So again, Howard Webb has got to look at his training education.”Another thing that really annoys me is the nonsense that comes out from the matchday centre.”Regarding the challenge, they need someone there that actually knows the law. The law is clear on serious foul play and that was not serious foul play that endangered the player’s safety with excessive force or brutality.”So for me, VAR should have looked at that and recommended a review. And, as I say, once Chris had gone and looked at it, and had a review got recommended, then he would have changed decision.”There are so many inconsistencies, Howard has got to sort this out.”Man Utd went on to lose 3-0 to Tottenham at Old Trafford, leaving them 12th in the Premier League table.Fernandes himself also insisted he should not have been sent off.He said: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card. If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him [referee] to the screen.”The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game but it wasn’t possible. They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”Man Utd ratings vs TottenhamMANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.Andre Onana – 5Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.Noussair Mazraoui – 5First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.Lisandro Martinez – 5Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.Diogo Dalot – 5Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.Manuel Ugarte – 5Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.Kobbie Mainoo – 5Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.Marcus Rashford – 5Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.Bruno Fernandes – 4Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.Subs:Mount (for Mainoo 45)  5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5. More

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      Jose Mourinho booked after putting his laptop in front of TV camera to highlight referee’s wrong decision

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      JOSE MOURINHO hilariously protested a refereeing decision by showing a replay to a TV camera.The Fenerbahce manager was up to his old touchline tricks during his side’s 2-0 win over Antalyaspor last night.Jose Mourinho put a laptop in front of a TV cameraThe Special One was fuming after his side’s goal was chalked offMourinho was booked for his anticsCredit: GettyMourinho, 61, was fuming when Edin Dzeko saw his goal chalked off for offside in the second-half.And in typical Special One style, he reacted by grabbing the club’s laptop and placing it in front of a TV camera next to the dugout.The screen showed a photo of the incident as he tried to prove the referee had made a terrible decision.Mourinho was booked for his antics as he sat on the sidelines shaking his head.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found it hilarious, with one saying: “That’s a whole other level of s***housing.”Another added: “Mourinho never change.””A third commented: “This man must never retire.”After the game, Mourinho said: “No offside, the left-back was in a position where Dzeko was not offside and in our perspective that was clear for us.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis is not the first time he has caused chaos since moving to the Turkish giants, having been booked for complaining to the ref just 20 minutes into his first league game in charge.He also stormed out an interview after being shown a clip of rival Galatasaray fans mocking him.And the ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss is supposedly sleeping at Fenerbahce’s training ground to “not waste time” as he aims to transform the club.Jose Mourinho makes dramatic Super Lig debut as huge row sees Special One booked after just 20 minutes More

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      Premier League releases 25-word statement on controversial Bruno Fernandes red card during Man Utd thumping by Tottenham

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE have released a 25-word statement following the controversial decision to send off Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes during the club’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.Fernandes, 30, was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for the first time in his Man Utd career after appearing to lash out at Tottenham star James Maddison with the score 1-0.Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the first time in his Man Utd careerCredit: GettyIt came after he appeared to lash out at Tottenham’s James MaddisonCredit: GettyThe Red Devils captain can be seen to lift his boot towards the knee of Maddison after slipping with his standing leg as he went to pressure the ball.An explanation for the decision came from the Premier League’s Match Centre on social media.The statement read: “The referee issued a red card to Fernandes for a challenge on Maddison. The VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s call of serious foul play.”Fernandes faced the music and raged against the decision in an interview with Sky Sports following the game, admitting it was a foul but “never a red card”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Portuguese also claimed that Maddison admitted it was also not a red card – with the pair seen conversing as Fernandes walked off the pitch.He said: “I just wanted to come and talk and be myself because my team-mates deserve that for what they have done in the game playing with one man less – particularly as I was the man sent off, the one that let them down.  “I think we struggled a bit and then the red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game, but it wasn’t possible. “The team showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience, a lot of fight. They tried. It wasn’t easy.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”No one likes to be sent off. It’s not a good feeling. We end up conceding another two goals.”I don’t go in with the studs, it’s a clear foul but never a red card. Maddison said it is a foul but it’s not a red card. Man Utd blasted by pundits after horror Tottenham mauling”If this is a red card we have to look at other incidents. I think it’s never a red card. It’s a foul if he wants to give a yellow. “I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen.’Rules on ‘serious foul play’According to the FA’s rulebook, serious foul play is defined as being: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.”Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”United had gone down inside three minutes through Brennan Johnson before the 42nd-minute sending-off.Things went from bad to worse in the second half, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke scoring to pile on the misery for Erik ten Hag’s side, who have now lost back-to-back home league games 3-0.On the incident, Ten Hag added: “The red card changes the game. I don’t think it was a red card.”The decision to send him off proved controversial, with Jamie Redknapp, Ashley Young and Darren Bent saying it was harsh.MARK HALSEY: Questions must be asked after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for Man Utd against TottenhamIN real time Bruno Fernandes’ first-half challenge on James Maddison looked a poor one.And based on an immediate viewing, it seemed ref Chris Kavanagh’s decision to show a red card was the correct one.But replays clearly showed he slipped and his foot did not make contact as high on Maddison’s leg as it first seemed.In these circumstances a ref has to consider whether a challenge was reckless, which would be worthy of a caution, or if it has endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality — a red-card offence.Looking back at the footage, you would have to say it was reckless rather than a case of serious foul play.There should be no criticism of Kavanagh as he only gets one view of it.But the question to ask is why VAR Peter Bankes did not get involved, as he sees what we see.If VAR had recommended a review I’m sure Kavanagh would have changed his mind.Asked if he deserved to go for an early bath, Redknapp replied: “No, he slips, his feet go under him. I think it is a yellow card.”Young added: “I don’t think it’s serious foul play or it’s reckless. Yes, he is out of control, but he slips, I don’t think he goes to take out Maddison.”And Bent reacted: “First time I saw it I thought that it was naughty. But he slips and it is more petulant than anything. It is a poor decision, a bad one, a poor one.”Under-fire Ten Hag said he would continue to back his captain ahead of the game: “Every season it’s the same and at the end of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Bruno created the most chances in the PL and scored a lot of goals. I’m not worried.”Fernandes will now miss games against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham.Man Utd ratings vs TottenhamMANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.Andre Onana – 5Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.Noussair Mazraoui – 5First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.Lisandro Martinez – 5Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.Diogo Dalot – 5Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.Manuel Ugarte – 5Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.Kobbie Mainoo – 5Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.Marcus Rashford – 5Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.Bruno Fernandes – 4Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.Subs:Mount (for Mainoo 45)  5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5. More

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      Questions must be asked after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for Man Utd against Tottenham, says ex-Premier League referee

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      IN real time Bruno Fernandes’ first-half challenge on James Maddison looked a poor one.And based on an immediate viewing, it seemed ref Chris Kavanagh’s decision to show a red card was the correct one.Bruno Fernandes was sent off for his lunge on James MaddisonCredit: Getty Fernandes’ challenge was deemed recklessCredit: Sky SportsThe skipper appeared to slip as he went to make the challengeCredit: Sky Sports Chris Kavanagh immediately brandished the red cardCredit: RexMark Halsey thinks VAR should have told the ref to head to the monitorCredit: RexBut replays clearly showed he slipped and his foot did not make contact as high on Maddison’s leg as it first seemed.In these circumstances a ref has to consider whether a challenge was reckless, which would be worthy of a caution, or if it has endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality — a red-card offence.Looking back at the footage, you would have to say it was reckless rather than a case of serious foul play.There should be no criticism of Kavanagh as he only gets one view of it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the question to ask is why VAR Peter Bankes did not get involved, as he sees what we see.If VAR had recommended a review I’m sure Kavanagh would have changed his mind.Fernandes was furious that he was sent for an early bath, telling Sky Sports post-match: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.Most read in Football”I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him [referee] to the screen.Manchester United vs Tottenham Player Ratings”The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game but it wasn’t possible. They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”Ten Hag said: “I don’t think it’s a red card. We had big chances [before it] and it’s only 1-0 so we could make a comeback. It had a big impact on the game.”Man Utd ratings vs TottenhamMANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.Andre Onana – 5Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.Noussair Mazraoui – 5First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.Lisandro Martinez – 5Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.Diogo Dalot – 5Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.Manuel Ugarte – 5Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.Kobbie Mainoo – 5Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.Marcus Rashford – 5Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.Bruno Fernandes – 4Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.Subs:Mount (for Mainoo 45)  5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5. More

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      Referee ‘banned’ from officiating Liverpool games for an entire year to make return in Wolves clash on Saturday

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      A REFEREE who was effectively banned from officiating Liverpool games for an entire year will return for their match at Wolves on Saturday.Arne Slot’s men have made a flying start to the season, winning four of their five matches and conceding just one goal.Liverpool will be reunited with a familiar face against Wolves on SaturdayCredit: AlamySpirits are high following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.And Anfield fans are quietly hopeful of putting in a strong title challenge should Liverpool’s form continue.The league’s second-place team visit basement boys Wolves this weekend.Gary O’Neil’s men are yet to win a game and have taken just one point while shipping 24 goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Liverpool are set for an awkward reunion with a referee who hasn’t laid eyes on them in 12 months.Darren England will take charge of Saturday’s clash at Molineux.And it will see him officiate a Liverpool match for the first time since last October’s infamous VAR error in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.Referee’s body PGMOL admitted there had been a “significant” human error after Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside when he was clearly onside.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEngland was on VAR duty and had been tasked with drawing up the lines.But he accidentally gave a “check complete” to back up the original decision after forgetting what it was.Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Bold £84m Bid for NantesDarren England will be the fourth official after last season’s VAR blunderCredit: AlamyHe wrongly disallowed Luis Diaz’s goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at SpursCredit: GettyReplays showed Diaz was clearly onside after England drew up the VAR linesAnd by the time England realised his error, the game had already continued — meaning the match could not be brought back for Diaz’s goal to stand.It took seven months from that game before England was given another VAR role, despite him being back on referee duties just weeks after the incident.And he will now take part in a Liverpool match for the first time in a year after being named as the fourth official against Wolves.Anthony Taylor will be the referee for the game.While Michael Salisbury is in charge of VAR in a move which is sure to put Liverpool fans at ease.After England’s mistake last year, ref chiefs issued a grovelling apology to the Reds.A statement said: “PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool.”The goal by Luis Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials.”This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.READ MORE SUN STORIES”PGMOL will conduct a full review into the circumstances which led to the error.”PGMOL will immediately be contacting Liverpool at the conclusion of the fixture to acknowledge the error.” More

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      Premier League admit state of the art new technology may not be ready until NEXT YEAR after series of concerns

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      PREM chiefs have admitted the new state of the art offside technology system may now not be ready until after CHRISTMAS.Club bosses voted to approve the use of Semi Automated Offside Technology – with special computer-aided tracking to pinpoint the exact position of players – at their summer meeting, with a promise that it would be ready by the end of the November international break.The new system is being extensively trialledSemi-automated offside technology was used at the 2022 World CupCredit: FIFAThe new system is designed to end the issues caused by PGMOL operators at Stockley Park drawing the offside “lines”.Last week, Leicester manager Steve Cooper accused Stockley Park of an “an awful human error” after a VAR intervention saw an offside call against Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta overturned.Cooper claimed the lines had been drawn from the wrong TV frame – emphatically denied by PGMOL in a meeting with the club.Mateta was ruled onside because of the agreed 5cm “tolerance” zone for close decisions and it is likely that, with no such margin of error when SAOT is used, the on-field ruling would have been confirmed.READ MORE TOP STORIESBut at their first “shareholders” meeting of the season yesterday, the 20 clubs were told by Prem chief football officer Tony Scholes that they should “manage their expectations” over when the new technology would be ready.The Prem opted against using long-term tech partners HawkEye in favour of US-based Genius Sports but that has meant extensive trials being required.In his presentation to the clubs, which also saw Scholes make a strong defence of referees and their decisions this season and question the behaviour of players and managers, he said League bosses were willing to wait until they had proof the system was foolproof before recommending its introduction.At this stage, despite lengthy trials, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed and it was suggested that deploying the technology might have to be delayed until the “winter”, potentially after the turn of the year.Most read in FootballThe Prem only want the system to come in when it’s foolproofFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSScholes, though, did push home the message that PGMOL HAS upped its game so far this season.Despite a series of moans from clubs, Scholes confirmed that only one incorrect Key Match Incident decision which was subject to VAR oversight had been awarded – Bournemouth’s wrongly chalked off “winner” against Newcastle.Gary Lineker makes bold prediction on Match of the Day that his ‘good idea’ to fix VAR will eventually come inBut he did point out that “participant behaviour” – including dissent from players and managers – was an issue that has not helped the situation.New time-keeping rules have reduced the average amount of added time per match by around 100 seconds while the average VAR check is now down from 44 seconds to 25 seconds. More

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      Premier League ref Anthony Taylor in firing line AGAIN after Uefa bosses admit he made monumental error during Euro 2024

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      PREM ref Anthony Taylor has been hit by another blow – after Uefa bosses said he wrongly denied Germany a penalty during Euro 2024.Taylor was relegated to fourth official duties last weekend after booking a record 14 players in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.Uefa have confirmed that Anthony Taylor made a monumental mistake at Euro 2024Credit: PAHe did not award a penalty for a handball by Marc CucurellaCredit: ReutersThe Wythenshawe whistler is due to be back in the middle this weekend after being appointed to take charge of Liverpool’s visit to Wolves on Saturday.But a report by Uefa’s referees’ committee, leaked in Spain, castigated Taylor for not awarding Germany a spot kick during extra-time of their last eight defeat by the subsequent champions.And that led to former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos lambasting Taylor for his decision and mockingly asking: “Can I now say that I am a European champion?”Taylor played on after Jamal Musiala’s shot was blocked by the arm of Chelsea defender Marc Cucarella, with his decision not to award a spot kick backed by VAR Stuart Attwell.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLArsenal summer recruit Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain soon afterwards, with the incident leading to Cucarella being jeered mercilessly by German fans in both the semi-final win over France and the Final against England.But the official report of the Uefa body makes clear that Taylor got it wrong.It said: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly, and in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or on the body.“In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making itself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTaylor, one of Uefa’s most senior refs,  was surprisingly not appointed to any matches when the new-look expanded Champions League kicked off last week.And the report sparked a backlash from Germany, led by Kroos – who was playing what became the final match of his career.Football analyst bizarrely blames ref Anthony Taylor for ‘hindering Man Utd’s play’ in humiliating loss to LiverpoolToni Kroos led the backlash against the decisionCredit: GettyHe said: “It took them three months to realise that there was a handball, something that almost everyone could see in a second.“That reassures me a lot.”Can I say that I am now European champion because it has been officially confirmed? I don’t think so.”After the game, Cucurella admitted that the ball hit his arm but Taylor “immediately” told him it was not a foul.He said: “The ball hit my hand, but the referee immediately said no, no, no, and that made me feel better.”If the refereeing experts say it’s not a handball, then it’s not a handball”Taylor was also criticised for his role during Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Everton last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe official denied the East Midlands outfit of three penalty decision.He was also involved as the fourth official as three red cards were handed out in Forest’s 2-2 draw against Brighton on Sunday.Official stanceBy Mark HalseyWHEN Morgan Gibbs-White went to ground on Joao Pedro already on a yellow card, I thought he could be in big  trouble.Rob Jones clearly signalled for a throw in to Brighton and then made a gesture that Gibbs-White had clearly won the ball.Therefore, fourth official Anthony Taylor should simply not have got involved.Taylor has refereed that second-half incident. Had he not made the signal for a throw and that he won the ball, then Taylor could have helped Jones.And that incident sparked the managers and saw things boil over on the touchline.Ultimately, the officials caused Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo to be sent off for their reactions to the decision. More