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      Football should consider drastic rule change with refs too quick to show red card with grossly-exaggerated punishments

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      WHEN your team is a goal behind and the opposition start to use cunning ploys to run down the clock, you will get excitable.However, when you are one-goal up and under pressure, you will smile along with your mates if your team use clever delaying tactics up to the final whistle.
      Referees are brandishing red cards a lot easier with the new rule changeCredit: Getty
      Unfortunately, Fifa can’t spot a minor blemish on the field of play without taking a bulldozer to it.
      So in August, timewasting became a regular yellow-card incident — of which there were no fewer than six in the Women’s Super League last weekend and 11 in the Premier League a week before.
      Of course, two yellow cards become a red and an immediate one-match ban.
      That was what happened to England defender Alex Greenwood on Sunday.
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      She took a couple of seconds too long in ­sizing up alternatives with a free-kick, received her second yellow and got sent off.
      Greenwood had taken 26 seconds to play the ball after Emily Heaslip awarded Manchester City a free-kick in the 38th minute of their key home WSL game against Chelsea.

      She had already passed it as ref Heaslip strode towards her to issue her sanction — and Greenwood’s delivery was below last season’s average 34 seconds.
      Would VAR have saved her?
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      Even if they were allowed to review second bookings, judging by recent instances, guardians of the monitors in Stockley Park might have been nodding off at the time.
      In all, Heaslip showed 11 yellows and two reds in this ONE game, which smacks of being a little over-zealous.
      But I wasn’t there and, like most people, I feel referees have a highly challenging job and strong criticism is often unjust.
      FIFA see them as policemen with whistles — the sustainers of law and order.
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      Karren Brady insists Fifa should address this latest issueCredit: Getty
      True, refs should be decisive but equally they should avoid being pedantic.
      As far as I am aware, there was no gain for Greenwood in delaying her free-kick by a few seconds — and she was actually quicker than the normal.
      We’ve all seen occasions where players exaggerate minor knocks — and frankly, if they are not wearing shin pads they shouldn’t complain too pitiably.
      Every regular fan can point to other annoying examples of time- wasting and that was why the authorities were anxious to use the rules to give them better value for their money.
      This has led to numerous 100-minute matches in the men’s and women’s game.
      Last week’s Premier League fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United racked up just a few seconds short of 114 minutes.
      More second yellow cards for time-wasting are being issued by refereesCredit: Rex
      Fair enough. But the rights of players should be protected and refs should try not to spoil a contest by harsh punishments for trivial delays.
      Maybe it is time to consider a sin-bin.
      It works in rugby union in the form of a ten-minute penalty for fairly serious offences — which surely nobody would suggest of a four-second delay in taking a throw-in.
      Far more infuriating are the delays for falsified injury; while players celebrate scoring by scrummaging with fans in the crowd; the age to bring on substitutes and other time-cheating on a Dr Who scale.
      Worst of all are minutes waiting for head-scratching VAR experts, baffled so often by a handball or offside.
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      My view? Wasted time is a bore.
      But the punishment should fit the crime — not grossly exceed it. More

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      SFA write to Uefa and demand answers over disallowed Scotland ‘goal’ vs Spain – and question missing VAR penalty check

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      THE SFA have demanded answers from UEFA over Scott McTominay’s disallowed wonder strike.SunSport Online revealed this morning how the Scotland star’s sensational free-kick against Spain in Seville last night was chalked off for offside.
      Iain Maxwell and Mike Mulraney want answers from NyonCredit: Willie Vass
      Referee Serdar Gözübüyük went to the monitor before disallowing Scott McTominay’s stunnerCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      The free-kick was ruled out for two reasons – initially a foul and later offsideCredit: viaplay
      High ranking sources within European football’s governing body confirmed to us Jack Hendry did NOT foul goalkeeper Unai Simon as first claimed.
      That has left Hampden chiefs baffled given Dutch referee Sendar Gozubuyuk made a key mistake by failing to signal correctly after a VAR check.
      And they’ve now sent a letter to Euro chiefs outline their disapproval and questioning the chronology of events.
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke insisted in his post-match interviews he wasn’t seeking any clarification.

      However, the SFA have today lobbied Euro bigwigs for answers.
      They’ve written to Uefa’s Head of Refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, for an explanation on the confusion and contradiction surrounding the ‘goal’.
      They also want know why it took 16 minutes to change the reason for the decision from foul to off-side.
      Other flashpoints in the game have also formed part of their letter.
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      It’s believed Scotland’s chiefs were also stunned that a potential second-half penalty for Lyndon Dykes didn’t appear to be looked at by VAR.
      There were other decisions ref Gozubuyuk made which will be included in the correspondence.
      John McGinn was clearly body-checked in the first-half but the woeful whistler insisted no foul had been committed.
      It’s unlikely the SFA’s pleas will lead to any significant outcome on the matter.
      However, president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell and determined to take it further to give the Tartan Army answers.
      SunSport spoke to a source at Uefa earlier today who told us: “The referee’s decision at the free-kick was for offside.
      “After the on-field review, the decision was offside as the attacking player (Jack  Hendry) was touching and standing in front of the goalkeeper.
      “Therefore, according to Law 11 for Offside, the attacker impacted on his opponent – the goalkeeper – playing or attempting to play the ball.”
      The decision had massive consequences for Scotland as it would have put Scotland ahead in the key qualifier.
      But the decision lifted the home support in the La Cartuja Stadium and goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet saw Spain win 2-0.
      In a further officiating twist, the official Uefa Referee Delegate for the match was switched in the days before the game.
      It was originally supposed to be experienced Italian Rosetti, but he withdrew for personal reasons.
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      Pole Tomasz Mikulski was to be ref observer at Israel’s match against Switzerland but when it was postponed he replaced Rosetti in Seville.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Spain 2 Scotland 0 – VAR sickener as McTominay strike cruelly disallowed as Clarke’s men kept waiting on qualification

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      IN a city of bullfighting this was bull****.Seville’s matadors have nothing on how Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk skewered Scotland.
      McTominay couldn’t believe his goal was chalked-offCredit: Getty
      The ref disallowed the stunning strike after VAR reviewCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Morata scored just over 10 minutes later with Scotland kept waiting on qualificationCredit: Getty
      Everything he did was a red rag to the Steve Clarke and his side.
      But his decision to disallow a Scott McTominay wonder goal at 0-0 was an absolute disgrace.
      The records books will show Spain’s Álvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet scored the two goals that counted.
      But it was the one that didn’t which left such a bad taste on the mouth.

      Clarke insisted he didn’t want any favours from anyone before a ball was kicked.
      Well, he certainly didn’t get any.
      The VAR decision after 60 minutes robbed Scotland of a huge goal which would have gone a long way to getting the point needed to secure qualification for next summer’s finals.
      At first it was chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper.
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      Then it was changed to off-side.

      You’d have been forgiven for thinking the officials were simply making it up as they went along.
      The contempt Gozubuyuk showed for our team made you believe Uefa will do anything to make sure the big nations reach Germany next year
      Now, of course, Scotland are looking for another Spain win against Norway in Oslo on Sunday night.
      If that happens all this will quickly be forgotten about.
      But for now this didn’t half hurt.
      Let’s be honest, winning felt unlikely before a ball was kicked.
      Spain chose Andalucia for a reason with the record books showing they rarely lost in this part of the world.
      It’s their go-to venue when they need a result. Seville a city no Scottish team has ever won before.
      Even with Scotland sitting pretty at the top of Group A – with five wins from five – it was still a daunting prospect.
      But it wasn’t ever beyond the realms of all possibility that Clarke’s side could get the point they needed to qualify. And we didn’t half make Spain sweat in the searing heat of Seville.
      That’s what this group of players have given the nation above all else. 
      Hope.
      It was always going to be nervy and edgy whenever Spain came forward. That much was certain.
      De la Fuente’s side could have taken the lead inside the first 60 seconds with Ferran Torres missing a chance he usually buries.
      There and then every Scot feared the worst.
      Scotland stars ratedBy ANDY DEVLIN
      ANGUS GUNN: His goal had led a charmed life most of the night. That said, he hadn’t made a save worthy of note when Morata headed Spain in front. Couldn’t be faulted at either Spanish goal….6.
      AARON HICKEY: Football can be such a cruel game. The left-back playing at right-back had been outstanding when he lost his footing to effectively gift-wrap the win for Spain….6.
      RYAN PORTEOUS: The Watford man had just got back to make a superb block when he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was his unfortunate own goal which sealed Spain’s win…6.
      JACK HENDRY: Stepping out trying to make an early interception almost cost Scotland dear, Ferran Torres missed a sitter. But how he settled thereafter. Picked up a late booking, but that was down to frustration..7.
      SCOTT McKENNA: In for the injured Kieran Tierney. The former Aberdeen star won’t get forward like Tierney, but you lost count of the amount of headers he won. Had a fine match..7. 
      ANDY ROBERTSON: More than played his part in a solid defensive first half showing. But the Scotland captain was forced off with a shoulder injury two minutes from the break..5. 
      SCOTT McTOMINAY: The man who can do no wrong for Scotland thought he’d done it again. A sensational free-kick, ruled out by VAR and a ref who gave Clarke’s side nothing all night….6. 
      CALLUM McGREGOR: The hugely experienced midfielder was the one going round trying to keep his teammates calm and focused after McTominay’s free-kick was ruled out. Replaced late on…6. 
      JOHN McGINN: Totally wiped out by Carvajal right on the edge of the Spanish box. Incredibly, Dutch ref Serdar Gozubuyuk waved play on, setting the tone for a truly appalling performance…6.
      RYAN CHRISTIE: The one Scotland midfielder who attempted to get up in support of Dykes. Tried to provide Clarke’s men with an outball, while mindful of his defensive duties. Replaced late on….6. 
      LYNDON DYKES: Picked up a booking after a coming together with Laporte. It was a thankless task for the QPR man who ran himself into the ground up front on his own….6.
      Subs:
      NATHAN PATTERSON: Got away with one when Balde robbed him of the ball. Booked for a foul on Bryan Zaragoza, but stuck doggedly to his defensive tasks…5.
      CHE ADAMS: Should have scored just moments after coming on. Failed to properly connect with Hickey’s cross…4.
      STUART ARMSTRONG: Another sub who snatched at a half-chance for Scotland…2.
      KENNY McLEAN: Came on just after Spain scored their second…2.
      BILLY GILMOUR: No time for the young midfield star to shine…2.

      But despite having the vast, vast majority of the ball, Spain didn’t make it count in the first-half.
      For Scotland it was all about tracking runners and filling the gaps whenever they appeared.
      Callum McGregor was vital in his role in front of the back five.
      Being without injured Kieran Tierney was a definite blow but Scott McKenna came into the team and didn’t look out of place.
      Aaron Hickey was outstanding on the right, making a sensational block to prevent Mikel Oyarzabal scoring in 34 minutes.
      When the ball broke for Mikel Merino he hit a shot which smacked the post and fizzed across Angus Gunn’s goal and somehow stayed out of his net to drift out for a goal kick on the opposite side.
      It was the kind of moment which made you think this might just be Scotland’s night.
      Morata thought he’d scored in 38 minutes too but the flag went up showing he was a good two or three yards off-side.
      By that time Clarke just wanted to get his team into the away changing room to regroup.
      But before the half-time whistle went he was dealt a massive blow with Robertson helped off the pitch with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
      He’d been clattered by goalkeeper Unai Simón as he jumped for a high ball, coming off second best, with his night over.
      Clarke’s answer was to put on Everton’s Nathan Patterson and play him on the right with Hockey shifting over to the left.
      In an attacking sense there wasn’t much there for Scotland before the break. Lyndon Dykes had a running battle with Aymeric Laporte which saw him booked.
      The QPR hitman’s touches were limited.
      But it was all about how the team were fighting for each other all over the pitch to keep Spain at bay.
      We certainly weren’t going to get any help from the Dutch referee who was hell bent on giving the Euro giants the benefit of any doubt throughout the night.
      The decision to disallow McTominay’s wonder strike free-kick on the hour mark was nothing short of a disgrace.
      It should have been the goal of his life.
      Instead the officials contrived to rob him and Scotland of a precious lead.
      The moment it went to VAR to check for a foul everyone knew what was coming next.
      Replays showed there had been virtually no contact by Jack Hendry on goalkeeper Simon.
      But still the ref sided with the Spanish and awarded them a free-kick.
      Joy had suddenly turned to anger and disbelief – with the home side soon taking full advantage of the let-off.

      With 73 minutes on the clock Morata made a darting run and stooped to glance a header past Gunn.
      It was simply agonising.
      Even then Scotland had late chances to level the game with subs Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong blocked from scoring.
      Read More on The Sun
      But in 86 minutes Sancet pounced after Hickey slipped and it was all over.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      FA pushing for major VAR change in huge boost to fans at matches after Tottenham vs Liverpool blunder

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      THE FA is pushing to allow VAR communications to be broadcast in stadiums.Wembley bosses feel that letting fans in grounds and at home to hear what VARs are saying to referees will give more clarity to supporters.
      The PGMOL came under fire for making a huge error during Tottenham’s clash with LiverpoolCredit: Sky Sports
      Luis Diaz was deemed to be offside when he wasn’tCredit: Premier League
      Officials are now pushing for VAR communications to be broadcast in stadiumsCredit: Getty
      It was only three days after Liverpool’s Luiz Diaz’ goal at Spurs was wrongly disallowed by a major VAR blunder that the chaos surrounding Darren England’s mistake was aired.
      Current International FA Board rules mean it is forbidden to broadcast the conversations live.
      But FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will urge a rethink and change of policy at head month’s Ifab “business meeting” which will set the agenda for the formal Law-deciding AGM in March.
      Bullingham said: “The fans is in the stadium should never know less than the fans watching on TV.
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      “Live broadcasting of the conversations is something we have talked about in multiple IFABS. 
      “Generally there is a split in the room, often it between the marketing-and-commercial people and the referees. 
      “Our point of view would normally be that transparency is a really good thing.
      “We want fans to have the maximum experience.
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      “More transparency shows how difficult the referee’s job is and it has worked in other sport.
      “But there is an understandable nervousness from others that the referee’s job is hard enough as it is.”
      Bullingham, though, may have to do a lot of persuading.
      Patrick Nelson, chief executive of the Belfast-based Irish FA, said: “We just need to see more evidence on this at the moment. 
      “It’s interesting when we look at recent examples but we still need to remember that VAR as an entire concept is relatively in its infancy compared to the game of football and compared to IFAB. There is still more that we can learn.”
      Fifa now allows mic’d up referees to announce why they have changed an on-field decision after VAR intervention, although giving no details, with Bullingham feeling that is “a step forward”.
      Refs’ chief Howard Webb suggested on Tuesday night that he wanted a change in the Ifab VAR protocols that prevented England from telling ref Simon Hooper to stop play and award Liverpool a goal after the game had restarted.
      Bullingham intends to gauge the views of the Ifab board – half of which is composed of the four Home Nations with Fifa supplying the other four votes – over whether that is a possible move.
      So far, though, Ifab has been resistant, suggesting a single error by officials in one country should not necessarily force a rewriting of the regulations.
      But Bullingham will strongly resist calls for MORE powers for VARs to interfere outside the current realm of “match-changing decisions” such as goals, penalties and red cards..
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      The idea of extending the scope to allow VAR overturns for free-kick decisions, bookings, corners and throw-ins is due to be discussed at next month’s meeting.
      But Bullingham vowed: “We would be really reluctant to have a game that was stopped a lot more than it currently is. That will be a proper discussion.” More

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      Michael Owen compared to viral ineffective steward for his ‘grilling’ of Howard Webb live on Sky Sports

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      MICHAEL OWEN was compared to a viral ineffective steward after his “grilling” of Howard Webb on live TV.Former Liverpool, Man United and England striker Owen was tasked with questioning ref chief Webb on several recent VAR controversies.
      Michael Owen was compared to an ineffective steward after grilling Howard Webb on VARCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      🗣 “[The referee] didn’t know at all until the end of the game.”PMGOL chief Howard Webb answers questions on Luis Diaz’s incorrectly disallowed for Liverpool against Tottenham 🔴⚽ pic.twitter.com/3lF0mx0FIQ— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 10, 2023

      Owen was able to sink his teeth into the weighty issue of Liverpool’s disallowed goal in their defeat to Tottenham ten days ago.
      Luis Diaz had a perfectly legal strike wrongly ruled out for offside.
      Blunder officials failed to stop the game after realising their massive mistake.
      And Owen attempted to take Webb to task during a live segment on Sky Sports last night.
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      However, fans were less than impressed with his efforts.
      Owen first asked: “Why didn’t the ref just say ‘let’s go back 30 seconds?’”
      Webb then explained how various laws meant they were unable to intervene.
      But he promised a review into the laws of VAR would come in.
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      Owen then chimed in: “Was the ref aware of this all around him as the game was going on?”
      Webb responded by claiming the ref did not know there was an issue, and that it was better for him to not know too.
      The line of questioning did not go down well with irate fans demanding proper answers, with many feeling Owen let Webb off the hook.
      And the ex-forward was even compared to the viral GIF of the ineffective matchday steward casually pretending to pat down punters entering a football stadium.
      One said: “Howard Webb you are a joke! Just as if nothing happened other than a ‘mistake’.
      “No passion, no apology and Michael Owen just giving him an easy ride on the whole thing.”
      Another noted: “This is where you wish Owen had the backbone to ask whether Simon Hooper did want to have a negative impact by overreacting in the Spurs game.”
      One declared: “Knew nothing yet all the audio we hear has them chatting over each other. They can hear everything.
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      “Michael Owen is a waste of time, this segment is a waste of time.”
      Another added: “Michael Owen is an absolute puppet. Howard Webb has Sky eating out of the palm of his hand.” More

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      Arsenal fans say ‘leave the pitch, the game is rigged’ as Kovacic survives VAR check after two shocking fouls

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      ARSENAL fans were left irate at referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to send off Mateo Kovacic.The Manchester City midfielder received a booking in the 29th minute for a reckless tackle on Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard, whose right Achilles felt the full force of his dangerous challenge.

      Mateo Kovacic crunched Martin Odegaard with a nasty challenge in the 29th minuteCredit: SKY SPORTS
      Kovacic raked down the back of Odegaard’s Achilles with his challengeCredit: SKY SPORTS
      VAR agreed with Michael Oliver’s decision to give the midfielder a bookingCredit: REUTERS
      Kovacic made another dangerous challenge less than five minutes laterCredit: GETTY
      Fans demanded a red card but the video assistant referee didn’t oblige with their calls for the Croatia international to have an early bath.
      And they were left seething five minutes later when the former Chelsea man took out Declan Rice with another poorly-timed challenge.
      Oliver didn’t deem the tackle worthy of a second booking, prompting a slew of angry Gooners to take to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their fury.
      One wrote: “Kovacic is still on the ground somehow.”
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      Another said: “Nah, they want us to lose so much. What is this cheating?”
      And another said: “Leave the pitch, the game is rigged
      One remarked: “Someone please tell me how that Kovacic was a yellow and not a straight red like Curtis Jones’ last week????
      “This ref’s are corrupt.”
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      Referee Michael Oliver opted NOT to give Mateo Kovacic a second bookingCredit: GETTY
      The Emirates faithful’s fury was echoed by Arsenal super-fan and Sun columnist Piers Morgan.
      He asked: “How the hell is Kovacic still on the pitch?
      “Two horrendous fouls in 5 minutes. Abysmal refereeing.”
      Kovacic’s back-to-back fouls were the hot topic in the Sky Sports studio, where former City defender Micah Richards admitted the Croat should have seen red.
      He said: “I believe Kovačić should have seen red. The Rice challenge is definitely a second yellow.”
      Former Gunners hitman Theo Walcott said: “As soon as it went to VAR, I thought red card.
      “It’s a nasty challenge. For me, it’s a red. It’s genuinely endangering the player.”
      Arsenal ended up winning the game thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal, their first win over City in the Premier League for eight years. More

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      Brighton fans troll Liverpool with cheeky four-word chant following VAR shambles

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      BRIGHTON fans trolled Liverpool with a cheeky four-word chant during their clash on Sunday.The Seagulls supporters took the opportunity to poke fun at Liverpool’s VAR woes last weekend.
      Brighton fans trolled Liverpool’s VAR woes with a cheeky four-word chantCredit: Reuters
      Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out by the officials against Tottenham before a VAR mishap meant the decision was not corrected.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has since suggested the match should be replayed after audio from the VAR review was released.
      Brighton’s fans used this against their opponents as the two sides met in the Premier League.
      During the first half, the home supporters could be heard chanting: “We want a replay,” after the visitors pulled level.
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      The chant was on show after Mohamed Salah cancelled out Simon Adingra’s opener to equalise for Liverpool.
      Brighton may well have wanted a replay minutes later, though, as Salah completed the turnaround after Liverpool were awarded a penalty.
      The hosts were able tie the game up again in the second half, however, thanks to Lewis Dunk’s 78th minute goal.
      Liverpool’s VAR shambles against Spurs had prompted a rule change from the Premier League for this weekend.
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      VAR bosses now have to confirm their decisions with their VAR assistants in a bid to avoid a repeat of the fiasco in North London.
      However, the rule change comes to late for the Reds, who fell to a 2-1 defeat last weekend following the VAR mistake. More

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      Watch Paul Merson completely lose it with Mike Dean in ‘box office’ clash on Soccer Saturday over Liverpool VAR shambles

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      FORMER Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson clashed with referee Mike Dean in a heated VAR debate ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Luton.A number of officials came under fire last week after VAR wrongfully ruled out Liverpool’s opening goal against Spurs.
      Paul Merson and Mike Dean clashed in a heated debate on Soccer SaturdayCredit: Sky Sports
      Dean claimed that ex-players don’t know the rules of the gameCredit: Sky Sports
      Merson accused the officials of being ‘scared’Credit: Sky Sports
      After Luis Diaz was flagged offside, those reviewing the decision failed to correct it.
      The PGMOL subsequently admitted that a “significant human error” affected the process, leaving fans furious.
      A panel of pundits continued to discuss the issues surrounding VAR on Sky’s Soccer Saturday this afternoon, with Dean giving an insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
      He said: “I think the way forward is to train them better with the process. It’s an ongoing process. They’re always doing online training.
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      “Do you get ex-players in? For me, no because half of them don’t even know the rules of the game.
      “As you can tell by what you’ve just said about restarting games for the sake of it…”
      A furious Merson then jumped in and yelled: “For the sake of it! For the sake of it!
      “What do you mean for the sake of it! You’ve got Liverpool against Tottenham, one of the biggest games and you are saying for the sake of it!
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      “Come on, there is no law. No one is going to die. So stop the game! You’re all scared!
      “You are all like ‘oh my god I am going to get in trouble!’
      “Stop the game! Stop the game and then take the circumstances. Because you know the rules, that is different.”
      Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas then intervened and implored Merson to “calm down”.
      Fans took to social media to react to the “box office” debate, with one person tweeting: “This was brilliant! Completely agree with Merse and Mike Dean was disrespectful here about ex-players knowing the rules.”
      Another added: “Merse has just battered Mike Dean.”
      A third wrote: “Paul Merson v Mike Dean. Box Office!!!”
      While a fourth commented: “Paul Merson rinsing Mike Dean on a Saturday afternoon… Things you love to see.”
      Sky Sports are now set to be given more access to VAR as officials look to improve transparency following the controversy. More