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      Huge change on horizon for Premier League as current VAR system could be ‘SCRAPPED’

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE is reportedly considering SCRAPPING its current VAR system.That’s by ditching operator Hawk-Eye when their contract expires in 2025.
      There could be a big change coming to VAR in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      The tech company is regarded as the industry leader in capturing data.
      Hawk-Eye has been working with the English top-flight since 2013 after providing goal-line technology.
      The group first honed its craft in the worlds of tennis and cricket.
      And the Premier League agreed a new long-term contract with Hawk-Eye when VAR was introduced from the 2019/20 campaign, running until the end of 2024/25.
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      However, amid recent VAR controversies, top-flight chiefs are now considering changing company at the end of the deal.
      The Mail claims there are fears that Hawk-Eye’s tech does not apply as smoothly to football as it does to other sports.
      It’s now reckoned that rival tech companies are preparing pitches to take the next VAR contract.
      And they will be focused on attempting to smooth out problems encountered by Hawk-Eye so far.
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      There have been several high-profile blunders this season already.
      Liverpool were left incensed when VAR did not allow Luis Diaz’s legal goal to stand in their defeat against Tottenham.
      And Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta declared war on officials after seeing his side’s unbeaten run end at Newcastle.
      He claims the ball went out of play before Anthony Gordon fired in the winner for Toon.
      Fans are also concerned with the length of time it takes to check for decisions.
      Chelsea’s win against Spurs was constantly interrupted by lengthy replays as several goals were chalked off for each side.
      But VAR controversially missed dishing out two red cards for Tottenham, with Cristian Romero’s kick and Destiny Udogie’s two-footed lunge going unpunished.
      Both men were eventually sent off in the heated derby, but many feel they should each have left the pitch long before. More

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      Paul Merson leaks VAR conversation with Mike Dean that ‘worried me immensely’ after huge controversy

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      FORMER Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has expressed concern that VAR is taking up too much time during games.The Premier League match between Tottenham and Chelsea on Monday was interrupted by VAR several times, leaving some fans furious.
      Paul Merson believes VAR takes up too much time during gamesCredit: Getty
      Merson recalled a conversation he had with Mike DeanCredit: Getty
      In the first half alone there were four disallowed goals, three red card checks and two penalty checks.
      Chelsea had another goal disallowed in the second half, but they went on to win the match 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty.
      Blues fan Merson was thrilled with the result, but in his column for Sky Sports he complained that VAR took too long to come to a final decision on a number of calls.
      He wrote: “Every decision in that game could have been sorted in 10 seconds.
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      “Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was on Soccer Saturday last week and he said something that worried me immensely.
      “He said it doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as we get the right decision. Even when it’s so obvious they’re going to check a hundred times.
      “They’ve got to be a lot quicker. They’re so nervous now about getting it wrong that it’s becoming a bit too much.
      “These ones were pretty obvious. If someone else is up there, they’re getting it right in seconds.
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      “Gary Neville on commentary called every one of them straight away.”
      Premier League officials have come under fire on several occasions this season for various controversial decisions.
      The most significant call occurred during Tottenham’s match against Liverpool in September.
      VAR wrongfully ruled out Liverpool’s opening goal after Luis Diaz was adjudged to be offside when he wasn’t. More

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      Marcus Rashford SENT OFF for Man Utd after controversial studs-up challenge on first start since Erik ten Hag row

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      MARCUS RASHFORD was sent off for a studs-up challenge on his return to the Manchester United side.The Red Devils led 2-0 when Rashford was shown a red card for his late tackle on Copenhagen’s Elias Jelert following a VAR check in the 42nd minute.
      Marcus Rashford caught Elias Jelert with his studs
      The forward was sent off for a challenge on Jelert
      Rashford was shown a red card following a VAR check
      Rashford’s studs appeared to go over the ball when attempting to challenge Jelert.
      The 20-year-old’s ankle rolled horribly as the Man Utd forward made contact.
      Referee Donatas Rumsas was advised to go to the monitor and review the challenge.
      After watching the incident again, he decided to send Rashford off.
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      The 26-year-old smiled incredulously as he was given his marching orders.
      He had only just returned to the line-up, having missed out on Saturday’s 1-0 win at Fulham.
      It was Rashford’s first start since his row with boss Erik ten Hag.
      The Dutchman called his star forward’s conduct “unacceptable” after he partied with family and friends to celebrate his 26th birthday… just hours after his side’s 3-0 Manchester derby defeat to City.
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      The Red Devils had led 2-0 at the time of Rashford’s red card.
      But by half-time, their lead had evaporated.
      From the resulting free-kick following Rashford’s foul, Copenhagen thwacked the bar.
      It was a sign of things to come, with former Southampton ace Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring for Copenhagen on 45 minutes.
      The Danes were then awarded a penalty eight minutes into first-half stoppage time for Harry Maguire’s handball.
      Copenhagen star Diogo Goncalves stepped up to make it 2-2.
      Former Man Utd stars and TNT Sports pundits Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes disagreed with the decision to send Rashford off.
      Asked if he felt it was the correct call, Hargreaves said: “No, not in a million years. Marcus is just trying to put his leg in front of the ball.
      “He’s not even looking at the ball. When you see a still as a referee, it looks horrendous. It’s not malicious, it’s not serious foul play.”
      Scholes then added: “I think that’s where the understanding of the referee has to come into it. It’s an accident.
      “He’s trying to plant his foot and protect the ball.”
      Ian Wright tweeted: “No chance that’s a red for Rashford.”
      While Jamie Carragher wrote on social media: “No way is that a red card for Rashford!
      “Hate these slow motion replays & still images that make everything look 10 times worse.”
      The first half had twice been temporarily delayed.
      In the ninth minute play was briefly halted after a fan ran on holding a Palestine flag.
      Later in the half there was another delay, after a fan was taken ill in the stands.
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      Having led 2-0, the match turned into a nightmare for the Red Devils in the 42nd minute, when Marcus Rashford was controversially sent off.
      The match turned on this moment, with Copenhagen dramatically going on to win 4-3.
      Rashford claps the travelling Man Utd fans as he leaves the pitchCredit: Getty More

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      Fears huge VAR delays are leading to INJURIES after Spurs star Van de Ven left crocked following seven-minute stoppage

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      THE PFA fear that long VAR checks will lead to more player injuries.Spurs defender Micky van de Ven is out for weeks after pulling a hamstring in a sprint following a SEVEN-MINUTE break in play during Monday’s 4-1 defeat by Chelsea.
      Micky van de Ven faces a lengthy spell out after suffering a nasty hamstring injuryCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The defender picked up the problem after a seven-minute delay to the matchCredit: EPA
      Tottenham fans suggested the delay may have contributed to the Dutchman’s injury, while Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he hates the way VAR has changed football.
      And PFA chief executive Maheta Molango declared: “Intuitively I would say yes — that the stoppages like we saw on Monday will lead to injuries because players cooled down and then have to sprint straight away.
      “Player welfare should be a big issue.
      “But we are killing the product at the moment and that should be everybody’s biggest fear.
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      “I would prefer to speak about facts and figures and clear evidence rather than just a feeling.
      “One of our ideas is to create a group of experts who can provide data so we know for sure. So that will be physios, coaches and ­doctors who can look at everything on the performance side.”
      Van de Ven’s injury came after the game was stopped for THREE reasons on 27 minutes.
      VAR firstly ruled out a strike from Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo for offside.
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      Then, it recommended that ref Michael Oliver studied a challenge by Spurs defender Cristian Romero on Enzo Fernandez during the same passage of play.
      By the time Oliver red-carded Romero there had been a five-minute break in the action.
      And it was another two minutes before Cole Palmer scored the resulting penalty.
      Van de Ven suffered his injury a few minutes later, while there was more than 21 minutes of added time over both halves.
      Molango added: “We are playing a game where the decisions are taken by Ifab (the International Football Associations Board).
      “It means the referees and players pay the price for them — because the voice of the people who are affected by these decisions is not being heard.
      “They have to suffer because of decisions taken by people who are out of touch and are not actually part of what happens in football on the day-to-day basis, so they do not realise what they mean in practice.
      “I agree with Ange Postecoglou. What type of football do we really want?
      It is very difficult to comprehend when those mistakes are made by people who are just watching on a screenMaheta Molango
      “When you bring in VAR there are also consequences about how the game is played.
      “If what we are trying to achieve is an error-free game, then we are going to fail.”
      Mikel Arteta has been vocal in his demand for change – piling pressure on the referees with his public blasts.
      The Arsenal manager was furious Newcastle’s winner was allowed to stand on Saturday, slamming the decision as an “absolute disgrace”.
      And he doubled down on his anger by calling on his rival managers to speak about against “the stink of football”.
      Molango added: “Even with VAR we are seeing mistakes. I would rather have mistakes from somebody who is on the pitch even if they are under pressure to make decisions.
      “It is very difficult to comprehend when those mistakes are made by people who are just watching on a screen. That makes things more frustrating.
      “What suddenly seems the most important thing is the amount of playing time or effective playing time.
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      “But is that what we should really care about?
      “As a fan you don’t think about effective playing time but you want to see entertainment and quality.”
      Cristian Romero was sent off after Moises Caicedo’s goal was ruled outCredit: Getty
      Cole Palmer scored the resulting penalty to make it 1-1Credit: Getty More

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      Mikel Arteta demands rival managers join war on VAR as Arsenal boss refuses to back down over ’embarrassing’ decisions

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      MIKEL ARTETA is calling on his fellow managers to speak out against “the stink in the drawer” of football.The Arsenal boss has been under fire for his emotional reaction to Saturday’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
      Mikel Arteta continued his furious rant against the standard of refereeingCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s goal was allowed to stand after a long VAR checkCredit: Getty
      But he is refusing to back down in his escalating war of words with the Premier League refs over “embarrassing” VAR decisions and insists he will not be silenced in his fight for justice.
      Arteta said: “If you have a problem and you put it in your drawer, the problem is still there and at some point it’s going to stink.
      “So we have to talk loudly to improve things and that’s what we are trying to do.
      “When we are all together for the managers’ meetings, we all share the same feelings about this.
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      “And I am sure I have the support of those managers when they are not directly affected by these decisions.”
      Arteta is still fuming over Anthony Gordon’s St James’ Park winner, although he refused to specify which of the three VAR reviews he disagreed with.

      Arsenal believe the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to the goal, Gabriel was fouled by Joelinton and Gordon was offside when he prodded the ball over the line.
      Arteta is unlikely to face any disciplinary action from the FA because he did not question the integrity of the match officials despite insisting that the goal was “an absolute disgrace”.
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      But Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu appeared to hit out at Arteta’s weekend tirade when he said: “At some point we have to accept the referee’s decision,” following his team’s controversial 4-1 defeat by Chelsea.
      Yet Arteta insisted: “I fully agree that we have to show respect. And that’s what we try to do.
      “But to respect them you need to have a good trust and the capacity to have a conversation and express opinions. That’s what respect is built on.”
      Replays proved inconclusive as to whether Joe Willock kept the ball inCredit: Sky Sports
      Ange Postecoglou seemed to take a dig at his North London rival after Spurs lost to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Jurgen Klopp let rip after the VAR mistake when Liverpool played TottenhamCredit: EPA More

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      Gary Neville ‘needs a two week mini-retirement’ after saying he has talking parrots on his shoulders giving him opinions

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      GARY NEVILLE sparked bemusement amongst fans after saying he had talking parrots on his shoulders giving him opinions.The co-commentator was the focus of a lot of fan attention during Tottenham’s action-packed 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
      Gary Neville’s comment about parrots left fans baffled
      Neville thought Destiny Udogie was lucky to stay on the pitch for a two-footed lunge on Raheem Sterling
      Michael Oliver sent off Cristian Romero following a lengthy VAR checkCredit: Getty
      The match was littered with VAR checksCredit: EPA
      There was plenty to talk about for Neville as he tried to dissect a number of controversial decisions made by referee Michael Oliver and his VAR team led by John Brooks.
      And when discussing Cristian Romero’s kick on Ruben Colwill, Neville said he had two parrots on his shoulders giving him his opinions.
      He said: “I’m 50/50. I’ve got a parrot on one shoulder saying red and a parrot on the other saying yellow.”
      Fans were left perplexed by Neville’s strange comment, with one mocking Neville’s previous remark that he thinks of holidays as mini-retirements.
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      They said: “Has Gary Neville just said he’s got a parrot on his shoulder saying yellow card and another saying red? A parrot?
      “He needs a two-week mini-retirement. He’s losing the plot on that gantry.”
      Another added: “The madness of this game has really distracted from Gary Neville talking about having a parrot on each shoulder giving him opinions about red cards.”
      And a third wrote: “Gary Neville has parrots on his shoulders… eh?”
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      Neville branded Udogie “stupid” for a second reckless lunge on SterlingCredit: Getty
      Udogie’s red put Spurs down to nine menCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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      Other fans remarked on how much Neville spoke throughout the match, with one viewer joking about how often he reacted to incidents by saying: “oooh”.
      Neville was more certain in his view on Destiny Udogie’s two-footed lunge on Raheem Sterling, which he felt deserved a red card.
      Udogie was booked for the challenge and the VAR upheld Oliver’s decision.
      Neville and Sky Sports’ main commentator Peter Drury were kept on their toes by the thrilling London derby.
      Dejan Kulusevski scored six minutes into the contest and moments later VAR was sprung into action for the first time to confirm Son Heung-min had scored from an offside position.
      Next came the Udogie tackle which Neville described as one “professional footballers hate”, claiming the left-back was lucky to stay on the pitch.
      That incident seemed to spark 20 minutes of chaos as moments later Spurs’ Cristian Romero escaped a red card after lashing out at Ruben Colwill, kicking the England star in the back of the leg.
      But the Argentine would not stay on the pitch much longer as he caught Enzo Fernandez high on his leg in the box with a follow-through after initially making contact with the ball.
      The decision to send off Romero came after a lengthy VAR check which ruled out Moises Caicedo’s long-range goal because Nicolas Jackson had unsighted the goalkeeper from an offside position.
      Sterling also had a goal chalked off for handball during the same phase of play as Romero’s kick on Colwill, leading to a lengthy VAR delay.
      Neville struggled to keep up with every decision as he compared Romero’s kick on Colwill to David Beckham infamously hitting out at Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup.
      But there was more controversy to come as a VAR check was carried out to determine whether Reece James elbowed Udogie – the Chelsea captain was allowed to stay on the pitch.
      Colwill was also involved in a spat with Pape Sarr and almost lost his head before being ushered away by Emerson Royal.
      Injuries to James Maddison and Micky van de Ven led to 12 minutes of stoppage time, with Neville sharing his sympathies for the pair.
      In the second half Neville branded Udogie “stupid” after he needlessly dived into another tackle on Sterling and received his second yellow – sending Spurs down to nine men.
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      Eric Dier also had a goal chalked off by the tightest of offside calls that also took VAR several minutes to judge.
      While a late Jackson hat-trick had Neville purring about what the striker could offer Chelsea now that he has had a big confidence boost.
      Nicolas Jackson scored a hat-trick to seal a 4-1 victoryCredit: Alamy More

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      What did Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta say about VAR?

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      MIKEL ARTETA was ranging in his post-match press conference after Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last weekend.The Spaniard’s fury was due to Anthony Gordon’s 64th-minute match winner, which survived THREE VAR checks.
      Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 loss to NewcastleCredit: GETTY
      The separate checks on the goal lasted a total of four minutes and six seconds – while they were trying to decide if there was an offside or foul involved, as well as seeing if the ball went out in the build up.
      Arteta could be staring at a ban from the FA for his comments about officials after the game on Tyneside – but what did the Gunners boss say?
      What did Mikel Arteta say about VAR?
      Arteta was left fuming with the decisions against his side in Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park – and he let his feelings be known in his interview with Sky Sports.
      The Gunners boss said: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.
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      “We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”
      And when asked if he will be taking up his frustrations with the PGMOL, Arteta made it clear he would be escalating things.
      He said: “Yeah. We will be taking it for many months. There is so much at stake and we put in so many hours.
      “I am here to represent the football club and to get my team to compete at the highest level.
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      “The margins are so small. It’s a disgrace. It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel and that’s how everyone feels in that room [the dressing room].
      “You cannot imagine the amount of messages that we’ve got saying ‘this cannot continue’. It’s embarrassing, I’m sorry, embarrassing.”
      What did Arsenal’s official statement say?
      Arsenal issued a statement on November 5 in support of Mikel Arteta following his passionate rant about VAR.
      It read: “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.
      “We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.
      “The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better.
      “PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies.
      “We support the ongoing efforts of Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands.” More

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      Howard Webb set for blockbuster VAR grilling with PGMOL chief to address series of controversial decisions in just days

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      HOWARD WEBB is set for a massive VAR grilling when he addresses the recent set of controversial decisions.The weekend’s football action saw Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta brand the officiating a “disgrace” after his sides 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
      Howard Webb will address the weekend’s VAR decisions in the coming daysCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s winner at Arsenal was controversially allowed to stand
      While the Tottenham vs Chelsea game had a host of decisionsCredit: Getty
      Arteta questioned the competence of referee Stuart Atwell and the VAR team but did not call their integrity into account.
      FA disciplinary chiefs are deciding whether or not to pursue action following his comments.
      The Gunners released a statement backing their manager in light of the controversial decision to allow the goal, though it seems likely he will escape with a warning rather than a fine.
      PGMOL chief Webb will address the complaints in the coming days after another weekend of VAR controversy.
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      He is due to appear on the latest episode of “Match Officials Mik’d Up” which is scheduled to be broadcast at the start of next week in the international break.
      The Gordon goal is expected to be given top billing.
      Webb has addressed glaring VAR mistakes in the past.
      In early October, he responded to Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal against Tottenham and Mateo Kovacic not being sent off against Arsenal.
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      Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle winner being allowed to stand was the most high-profile decision over the weekend’s action before the chaotic Monday evening game between Tottenham and Chelsea.
      The game, dubbed the “maddest game ever” saw a staggering 11 major VAR checks.
      These included four disallowed goals, three red-card and two penalty checks in the first half alone.
      Other games over the weekend where VAR was called into action saw Harry Maguire ruled offside for Scott McTominay’s strike minutes into the Manchester United and Fulham game.
      Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker also described the ruling to award a pivotal penalty to Sheffield United at the end of their match against Wolves as a “stinking decision”.
      Amid another weekend of controversy, Arteta was slammed for his behaviour by the CEO of Ref Support UK, Martin Cassidy.
      He said: “Mikel Arteta’s touchline behaviour is the worst in the Premier League and his behaviour is a large part of the problem in football.
      “He has become a Mercedes version of Neil Warnock.”
      Ange Postecoglou voiced his support for the referee’s when speaking after the Tottenham defeat.
      He said: “You have to accept the referee’s decision, that is how I grew up.
      “This constant erosion of the referee’s authority is where the game is going to get – they are not going to have any authority.
      “We are going to be under the control of someone with a TV screen a few miles away.
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      “The decision is the decision. In 26 years I have had plenty of bad decisions, I have had plenty fall in my favour. It is what it is.”
      Elsewhere, Anthony Taylor will return to the Premier League to whistle Chelsea’s match against Manchester City despite making an error in the Championship. More