VAR

PREMIER LEAGUE bosses are in VAR’s sights in the latest proposed clampdown.Players have been at the centre of regular controversies in the top flight since the introduction of video technology in the 2019-20 season.Prem managers will be under the microscope more than everCredit: RexGoal-line technology will be utilised to see if managers have stepped outside their technical areaCredit: AFPQuestionable ref calls, long delays on decisions and poor communication in the stadium have left fans confused and fed up.But their moans could get worse with PGMOL chiefs now considering bringing in reviews on MANAGER behaviour on the touchline.Bosses are expected to be filmed by VAR cameras on the sidelines to monitor abuse of officials and any other issues.Microphones will also be positioned near the technical area so that audio of heated discussions can be transmitted to the PGMOL’s Stockley Park HQ.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis will allow VAR officials to make quick decisions on whether a manager’s treatment of refs has crossed a line.If an offence is deemed to have occurred, the on-field ref would then be permitted to stop the game to issue a yellow or red card for any misdemeanour.But PGMOL chiefs are also considering adopting goal-line technology to judge whether managers have left their technical area.This could mean the likes of animated title-chasing bosses Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp being punished for having a toe outside the white line.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSupporters’ group spokeswoman April Fuller said: “We all know managers push it at times but they could be under the microscope more than ever.“This is likely to leave fans really, really annoyed.”Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer window More

DAVID MOYES vented his frustration at West Ham’s rough luck with referees after enduring the Premier League’s longest ever VAR check.The Hammers had an injury time winner against Aston Villa ruled out by VAR, causing Moyes to confront referee Jarred Gillett at full-time having had a fourth handball decision go against them in ten days.David Moyes was seething at the latest VAR decision against his sideCredit: AlamyRef Jarred Gillett looks at a monitor as he watches a VAR Review of Jarrod Bowen’s goalCredit: GettyIn all the injury-time check took a staggering five minutes and 37 seconds, a new record beating the five minutes it took to rule out a Jay Rodriguez goal for Burnley at Bournemouth last season.Ref Gillett and VAR Tony Harrington decided that Tomas Soucek had deliberately handled the ball before Jarrod Bowen turned it in. If the handball had been deemed accidental the goal would have stood.Against Villa, the hosts had two goals ruled out for handballs following a check either side of Mohammed Kudus firing one in a second after the whistle had been blown for a foul on Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez by Antonio.That comes after a controversial call not to award West Ham a late penalty for handball against Sander Berge last Sunday, with a similar incident happening in their first leg against Freiburg.Read more football newsMoyes said: “We think they are goals but VAR are the ones who decide, not us.”Burnley last week, Freiburg last week, two today. Every one of them has gone against us on handball situations so it’s hard to take.”You’ve got VAR so if VAR thinks it’s right they’ve got a chance to look at things so they must be right.”Football people see things differently. Maybe that’s where I see some of them differently.Most read in Football”Undoubtedly you might think that some of them hit people’s arms and it does and if that’s the rule we have to go with the rule.”But we had two that hit people’s arms last week, not one of them went our way. Not one of them.”The Tap In West Ham’s Moyes Out fans should ‘be careful what they wish for’ ft. Tony CotteeMoyes, who said he will not discuss the incidents with referees boss Howard Webb, added: “You can contact Howard yourselves and get the results.”A late winner, following Michail Antonio’s opener and Nicolo Zaniolo’s equaliser, would have made it three Prem wins from four games for the Hammers and strengthened their European charge.Zaniolo has not started a Premier League game in 2024 but made a huge impact off the bench, ensuring Villa did not suffer back-to-back league defeats.Boss Unai Emery said: “I’m very happy for Nicolo, hopefully we can keep him in this mood for the rest of the season.”When they scored the plan changed and in the second half we did better than in the first half.”We dominated, scored the goal and tried to win the match. It’s a draw but the result is good for us.” More

ONE thing is certain for this season, we’ve seen so many inconsistencies with VAR and it riles the fans, players, managers — and even us referees.In Law 11, just being in an offside position is not an offence in itself.Virgil van Dijk had a goal disallowed in the Carabao Cup final before scoring the winnerCredit: GettyCasemiro’s similar goal was allowed to stand against Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyBut does the forward become involved in active play? Interfere with the defender? Make a movement to play the ball?For Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal in the Carabao Cup final, Wataru Endo is in an offside position but makes no movement to play the ball.So does he become involved in active play by blocking Levi Colwill?Can Colwill challenge Van Dijk? I don’t think so.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut look at Burnley v Luton, where the Luton forward clearly blocks the keeper and it’s allowed.At Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, it was exactly the same as the Van Dijk one.Another defender is between Felipe and Casemiro as he scored.People will say, in that position Rafael Varane was involved in active play because defenders knew he was there.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut I think both goals should have been given.Van Dijk AND Sterling have goals RULED OUT by VAR in frantic final More