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      Blunder ref to return to VAR duty for first time in SEVEN MONTHS after horror gaffe in Liverpool vs Spurs last September

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      DARREN ENGLAND will return to the Premier League VAR hotseat for the first time in seven months this weekend.England was moved out of the limelight following his huge blunder in the match between Tottenham and Liverpool last September.Darren England will be back in the VAR box for West Ham vs Fulham on SundayCredit: GettyEngland was responsible for a huge error in communicating the correct decision to the on-field referee in the Tottenham v Liverpool gameCredit: Premier LeagueBut it has now been announced the 38-year-old will be back on VAR duty for the West Ham versus Fulham game on Sunday.Wade Smith will be the VAR assistant for the London derby, while Stuart Attwell will lead the on-field team with assistants Harry Lennard and James Mainwaring and fourth official Michael Salisbury.In England’s last match as VAR on September 30, he disallowed a perfectly legal Luis Diaz goal for offside that would have changed the outcome of the match that ended 2-1 to Spurs. Footage released afterwards showed how England had incorrectly communicated a “check complete” decision to on-field referee Simon Hooper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt reveals VAR officials England and assistant Dan Cook drew the lines showing that Diaz was onside, with an indication given by the officials that the check was complete.However, the officials then realised play had resumed without the correct decision being made.Assistant video referee Cook then backs this up by saying: “That’s wrong Daz”.Upon realising the error, England be heard saying: “Oh ****.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEREngland was stood down in the weeks that followed to take the pressure off him, before he was eased back as a fourth official for the October 23 game between Brentford and Burnley.PGMOL bosses have been careful to ease him back into matches since then, with only six Premier League appointments in the last two months, including this months clash between Manchester City and Aston Villa.Dean Scoggins travels to FC Koln in Germany to find Europe’s best Away DayHe was back at Stockley Park’s VAR hub for two FA Cup ties, including Bournemouth vs Leicester in February, with Michael Oliver acting as VAR support on both occasions.The Premier League announced yesterday that it would be introducing semi-automated offside technology from next season.However, England’s blunder ultimately came from a communication issue rather than tech, so the move will not be able to fix the types of errors that were seen in north London in September. More

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      Premier League clubs blasted for ‘ludicrously’ introducing new technology AFTER next season starts

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      PREM clubs have been blasted for their “ludicrous” decision to bring in semi-automated offside technology AFTER next season has started.The 20 top-flight sides yesterday unanimously voted to back refs’ chief Howard Webb’s recommendation to use the new system — which will slash the time on VAR offside calls.Prem clubs have voted to bring in semi-automated offside technologyCredit: TNT SportsThe decision was labelled ‘ludicrous’Credit: TNT SportsBut the limb-tracking cameras will NOT be ready for the August Prem kick-off.And ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey insists the clubs have scored an embarrassing own goal, fuming: “It’s ludicrous we are not bringing this in from day one next season.“The Premier League is awash with money and it needs to be operational for every match. “It’s got to be ready for the season kick-off. We can’t bring it in four, five or six weeks into the season as that will question the competition’s integrity. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”If it’s not ready, then wait until 2025-26.”The new SAOT system — which sees the Prem follow Fifa and Uefa’s lead — will not be used until after one of the three autumn international breaks in September, October and November.That allows an agreement over the right provider and the roll-out of the camera tech across the 20 grounds.Halsey added: “SAOT should have been introduced at the start of last season to follow on from the World Cup and the Champions League.Most read in Football“The clubs didn’t vote for it but the stakeholders of the League should have been working on it during the winter. What have they been waiting for?What are semi-automated offsides?
      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in the use of semi-automated offsides from the 2024-25 season.
      The technology tracks 29 different points on the body of every player.
      Together with a chip in the football, the tech then can produce almost instantaneous decisions, even on the tightest of calls.
      These are then visualised with computer-generated 3D images which clearly show the offence on a screen for fans watching the broadcast from home.
      Referees on the pitch will need to step in and intervene if the offside call is subjective – ie the player in an offside position does not touch the ball.
      Here’s how it works:

      Each ground will have up to 12 special cameras with limb-tracking technology.
      These will focus on 29 goal-scoring body parts from every player on the pitch and will record their position 50 times per second.
      During the World Cup in Qatar, the microchip in the ball sent back data points 500 times every second to determine the  precise instant it was played by an attacker OR a defender
      That allowed the computer technology to alert the VAR that a player was in an offside position when the ball was played
      But all decisions were then checked to ensure the attacker was interfering with play
      The average time for an offside call in Qatar was cut to 25 seconds per incident
      In future, a 3D animation will “show” the decision to fans in the stadium and via broadcasters, and this will be available by the next stoppage in play after the decision.

      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The Prem is the best in the world but we always seem to be behind. I’ve been championing SAOT for a few years.“We have seen too much controversy over offsides and the length of time taken. It’s great the change is finally being made.”Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real Madrid More

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      Premier League clubs vote for major rule change with it set to be introduced next season

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in the use of semi-automated offsides.The new technology will be introduced next season.Semi-automated offsides will be brought into the Premier League for next seasonCredit: PA:Empics SportThe major change should reduce errors and speed up decisionsCredit: BBCHowever, it may not be ready across the board from the beginning of the campaign.And that could see it brought in either in September or November.The technology should help provide even more accuracy for offside calls.Crucially, it should also speed up VAR decisions which will undoubtedly please fans, players and even broadcasters alike. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA Premier League statement said: “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology. “The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks.”The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.”The semi-automated offsides were used at the 2022 World Cup and are already in operation for the Champions League as well as the Serie A in Italy. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHowever, the Premier League voted against its introduction in England’s top flight last June. But SunSport reported back in November that the semi-automated offsides would be brought in for the 2024-25 Premier League. Arsenal vs Newcastle VAR micWhat are semi-automated offsides?

      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in the use of semi-automated offsides from the 2024-25 season.
      The technology tracks 29 different points on the body of every player.
      Together with a chip in the football, the tech then can produce almost instantaneous decisions, even on the tightest of calls.
      These are then visualised with computer-generated 3D images which clearly show the offence on a screen for fans watching the broadcast from home.
      Referees on the pitch will need to step in and intervene if the offside call is subjective – ie the player in an offside position does not touch the ball.
      Here’s how it works:

      Each ground will have up to 12 special cameras with limb-tracking technology.
      These will focus on 29 goal-scoring body parts from every player on the pitch and will record their position 50 times per second.
      During the World Cup in Qatar, the microchip in the ball sent back data points 500 times every second to determine the  precise instant it was played by an attacker OR a defender
      That allowed the computer technology to alert the VAR that a player was in an offside position when the ball was played
      But all decisions were then checked to ensure the attacker was interfering with play
      The average time for an offside call in Qatar was cut to 25 seconds per incident
      In future, a 3D animation will “show” the decision to fans in the stadium and via broadcasters, and this will be available by the next stoppage in play after the decision.

      The tech uses “limb-tracking” cameras to track players along with a chip in the football to get the right decisions. Computer-generated 3D clips illustrate offside decisions, giving fans watching an immediate visual portrayal. The tech only notifies the referees in the case of an offside if the player out of position touches the ball.For subjective offside calls, such as an interfering attacker offside at a free-kick, the semi-automated offside technology can confirm if the player is on or not – then it is down to the match officials to determine their impact or lack of on the attacking phase. The tech should help speed up decisions on the fieldCredit: AlamyA chip inside the ball for the World Cup in Qatar proved successfulCredit: FIFA More

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      Fans left horrified at ‘worst decision of the football season’ as Championship club beaten after controversial penalty

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      FOOTBALL fans were left aghast after seeing the “worst decision of the season” in the Championship last night.Promotion chasing West Brom were up against already-relegated Rotherham at the Hawthorns, with the hosts running out 2-0 winners.If you haven’t seen it, check this out, from the West Brom game.It hits the player’s head, twenty yards from goal. Decision: handball. Penalty. PL fans moan about VAR and rightly so a lot of the time…but they might even have got this one right.pic.twitter.com/PwxXUObZFn— The Football Tavern (@TavernFootball) April 10, 2024

      West Brom’s Thomas-Asante struck a shot from distance that hit the head of Rotherham’s Lee PeltierCredit: EFLThe referee awarded West Brom a penalty despite the ball hitting Peltier outside of the boxCredit: EFLRotherham stars argued their case with Geoff EltringhamCredit: RexBut he struck to the controversial decisionCredit: RexHowever, they were given a mighty helping hand by a shocking decision from referee Geoff Eltringham to award a penalty when the ball struck a Rotheram defender outside of the box.Carlos Corberan’s side were already leading through a Brandon Thomas-Asante strike after 23 minutes.But just before half-time, Thomas-Asante fired a shot towards goal from distance.His effort was closed down by Lee Peltier who rushed out to the edge of the D to meet the shot, with the ball hitting his face while his arms were raised in the process of making the block.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWest Brom players cheekily appealed for a handball, with ref Eltringham incredibly pointing to the spot – despite it not being a handball AND occurring outside the penalty area. The Millers were left stunned by the call and remonstrated with the referee and officials, leading to assistant coach Rob Kelly being booked for his protests.John Swift made no mistake from 12 yards to double the Baggies’ lead.Rotherham manager Leam Richardson slammed the officials for the decision but stopped short of questioning their integrity.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “It’s three yards outside the box and it hits him in the face. I’ve not seen that before. It was a wrong decision, and a poor one in my opinion.“I never question anyone’s integrity but I can’t explain that decision. You can’t get those decisions wrong. Biggest football kit fails after controversy over new England shirt”The assistant was maybe 10 yards away looking down the line of it.“Then my assistant manager, Rob Kelly, gets booked for telling the ref: ‘The linesman can help’.“It changed the outcome of the game. You should have a consistency of professionalism regardless.“We’ve had a number of similar decisions and apology letters. But I have no interest in that.”Fans were equally disgusted by the decision, with one fan saying: “Worst decision of the football season.”A second said: “How on Earth is that a pen ahahahaha.”A third said: “Wow. If anyone gets the chance to see the award of the West Brom penalty tonight… Rotherham lad handball’s it three yards outside the box and the ref gives a penalty. Unreal.”Another said: “That West Brom penalty decision. Come on Specsavers help out these referees,” with Specsavers also cheekily replying: “Thanks for bringing this to our attention.”A fifth added: “People who moan about VAR are quick to forget the terrible decisions without it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe win saw West Brom strengthen their position in the playoffs, now holding a nine point gap to seventh place Coventry. Meanwhile, Rotheram racked up their 27th defeat of the league season.John Swift made no mistake from the spotCredit: PARotherham boss Leam Richardson slammed the decisionCredit: PA More

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      Crucial moment VAR ‘guessed’ during Premiership match – as another side blast system as ‘unsuitable for purpose’

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      ABERDEEN have branded Scottish football’s version of VAR as “unsuitable for purpose”.Dons chiefs claim the SFA admitted officials “effectively guessed” that Angus MacDonald was offside when Bojan Miovski’s goal was ruled out in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Livingston.Ref Graham Grainger eventually ruled out the goalAberdeen’s goal was ruled offsideIt has emerged that the Hawkeye system failed at the Tony Macaroni – meaning calibrated lines were unavailable.VAR officials Matthew MacDermid and Jonathan Bell used a still image to make the call instead – which the SFA now admit was inconclusive.But SunSport understands the SFA were able to review the incident after the game and TWO Aberdeen players were offside.Ref Graham Grainger had awarded the Miovski goal and Aberdeen claim it was incorrectly ruled out – as they joined Motherwell in demanding VAR change.The statement said: “What this situation demonstrates, in our opinion, is that the version of VAR that Scottish football has, or more accurately, can afford, is not suitable for the purpose in which it is intended.“It perfectly highlights the limitations in the technology, the inappropriate implementation, the consistency of decision-making, and the negative impact on the overall experience for the match-going supporter.“This is, of course, not an issue that we believe is in any way exclusive to Aberdeen.“We are not being partisan because we believe a decision, or at least a process, has not been at all effective at the weekend.Most read in Football“We acknowledge there have been occasions where we ourselves have been fortunate to have benefitted from some of the observations and limitations raised.“The Scottish FA, with the help of the SPFL (via the Competitions Working Group), have an on-going review of the use of Video Assistant Referees within Scottish football.Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher namecheck Aberdeen in greatest ever debate“Aberdeen FC is committed to playing an active role in those discussions and will work with all stakeholders to try and improve the output because, at the moment, we do not believe VARs presence is enhancing the game in this country.”The SFA gave Aberdeen audio and transcripts of the officials’ conversations when Miovski’s goal was disallowed.And the Dons also provided fans with a detailed account of what happened.The statement said: “The Hawkeye system failed in the lead up to the goal. so the VARs were unable to rely on any reliable calibrated lines to determine, with the normal degree of certainty, whether Angus MacDonald was offside or otherwise.“The Scottish FA have confirmed to us that they have already launched an investigation into why this failure happened and put their officials into a difficult position.“The VARs then used a freeze frame to determine whether they thought Angus MacDonald was in an offside position when the free kick was taken by Leighton Clarkson.“The ability for the VARs to do this is contained within the VAR protocols.“The Scottish FA accepted there is no conceivable way the VAR could tell definitively the deepest position of Livingston midfielder Daniel MacKay’s body, because from the only angle available – the 18-yard box camera on the main stand side – the lower half of MacKay’s body is completely obscured from view, blocked by other players.“Even if his full body was visible, it’s impossible to determine who was closest to the goal line with no on-pitch ‘markers’.“Therefore, it was acknowledged by all in attendance at the meeting that the VARs had to effectively guess on what that position might have been based on the limited information available to them.“That was the basis on which to overrule the on-field call of the assistant referee, who did not raise his flag.“It is our strong belief that in such an instance, and for the integrity of the game, the match officials should stick with their original on-field decision without the strength of evidence to overturn that and essentially re-referee the passage of play.“This course of action was chosen ahead of asking the referee, himself, to look at the freeze frame and make a determination, which is permitted under the protocols when it’s a matter of opinion rather than factual.Here’s the recalibrated image“Or more appropriately, in absence of a definitive outcome from the camera, sticking with the on-field decision, and giving the benefit of the doubt.”The SFA said in a statement: “The Scottish FA has today received a report from Hawkeye on the incident that occurred at Livingston’s match against Aberdeen, which confirmed that the Broadcast 18-Yard Left Camera suffered a loss of calibration and ceased line tracking on the relevant video frame.”During the review, Hawkeye were able to reprocess the data through their system and draw the calibrated offside lines from the disallowed goal, which showed Angus MacDonald to be in an offside position.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The VAR made the decision using the technology that was available and this decision was validated by Hawkeye’s retrospective recalibration conducted as part of their review.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      ‘Possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen’ fumes Wolves boss Gary O’Neil after being denied late equaliser by VAR

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      GARY O’NEIL blasted “possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen” after VAR denied Wolves a 99th-minute equaliser against West Ham.And the Molineux boss admitted he could face an FA charge after a bust-up with referee Tony Harrington. Gary O’Neil blasted VAR after Wolves had a late equaliser against West Ham disallowedCredit: X/ @SkySportsPLTawanda Chirewa was ruled offside while being in front of Lukasz FabianskiCredit: PAWolves chief O’Neil raged: “I don’t understand it. I can’t think of an explanation. It was possibly one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.“I went in to see him for an explanation. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to refrain my feelings when I was in there with him.“I asked some questions, he didn’t like how I was asking them and we agreed we shouldn’t carry on.“I don’t know what happens now and whether he’ll report me but the explanation is irrelevant anyway.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSub Tawanda Chirewa was ruled offside  in front of Hammers No 1 Lukasz Fabianski so Max Kilman’s goal was struck off.Some of O’Neil’s backroom team were booked over protests after Harrington was told to go to the monitor by VAR Tim Robinson.O’Neil added: “I’m not even sure how many of my staff were booked after the final whistle.“If that decision is the letter of the law then the law needs to be changed.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe also claimed that opposition boss David Moyes agreed with him.But the West Ham chief said: “The way football is going, if you don’t get yourself back onside when you’re marking the goalkeeper — by what we’ve seen it looks offside.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers“I’m the last person to ask about the goal. We’ve had so many decisions go against us this season.“Some would make you feel like going into a dark room for a week. So I can understand why Gary’s upset and I feel for him.” More

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      Premier League should stop expecting managers to behave like monks on the touchline, even players get away with more

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      SUNSPORT’S April Fool’s Day VAR joke had such a ring of truth no one would be too surprised if it happens.Football is in the grip of over-regulation and our fun story on Easter Monday suggested VAR cameras would shortly be pointed at the managers’ box beside the pitch.Premier League managers like Jurgen Klopp can’t be expected to stand idly during matchesCredit: GettyKarren Brady insists managers deserve more lenient rulesCredit: GettyActually it isn’t even called a “box” but a “technical area”, a pompous way of saying not much at all.In this area, managers are expected to behave with the decorum of a monk.“Stand still please, or you’ll get a yellow”, warns a guy in a tracksuit standing guard over some of the greatest men in football.I’m a little over the top here. But when the rules of this area are more stringent than those in the House of Commons, matters have gone awry.Read More on FootballWhat would have been the reaction to Barry Fry at Birmingham?His touchline antics alone were worth the entrance money at St Andrew’s.I had been managing director a few months when we appointed Barry, whose top act was to race down a touchline arms waving, shouting advice and perhaps other things at his players.He is a wonderful character who today, I imagine, would have been manacled in his “technical area” complete with a rag stuffed into his mouth!Most read in FootballBlues fans loved his antics but, inevitably, it was banned.Fair to say it touched on rabble-rousing.Fans spot furious Erik ten Hag’s MELTDOWN on touchline as he screams at Man Utd star during Sheff Utd winAnd it would be ridiculous to allow managers free rein while their players are being told to behave as sportsmen and not incite the more excitable among their followers.But supporters like to see their manager get involved.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe image of Jurgen Klopp all in black grinning or agonising under his black cap is irresistible and his generosity of spirit has made him easily our favourite German.Publicly, managers have reacted mildly to their strange sort of imprisonment.Mikel Arteta has grumbled that three yellows for a ban is two fewer than players face.His stance is that managers are present at all matches whereas players are not, for various reasons.This is rather too sophisticated for most of us but the Arsenal manager has had four bookings this season — once for straying over the line and another time for, he said, “waving at Martinelli”.Two others have ventured beyond three.Touchline anticsItalian Roberto de Zerbi, the Brighton boss, claimed he got a yellow card because “perhaps the fourth official didn’t understand my words”.And Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag got one for protesting a throw-in too strongly.As a player, Vincent Kompany received just three reds in 17 years but he added another as Burnley boss at Chelsea last Saturday.He apologised to officials after the 2-2 draw.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Kompany also said: “The frustration comes from the fact it’s been a succession of them and these were debatable. I’ll keep saying what I think.”Good on you, Vincent!Unpredictable VARTHE PROFESSIONAL game is fast being played nearly as much in the rulebook as on the pitch — such is the pressure to win.
      The VAR record is good on offsides and line rulings but otherwise unpredictable — making mince meat of handball rulings and no ­better than a ref on free-kicks.
      West Ham’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle turned on a questionable VAR call that Kalvin Phillips had fouled Anthony Gordon.
      But there is no point complaining as nothing changes and our boss David Moyes could do no more than grimace.
      I have written five letters to PGMOL this season questioning ­decisions. All you get back are ­pictures from the rulebook and ­justifications of the decisions.
      There’s something unbalanced when a manager can cavort when his team scores but cannot protest sensibly at a bad goal given against. More

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      Premier League bosses to have touchline behaviour checked by VAR in shock move to clamp down on dissent

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      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