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      Club World Cup referee makes history as he explains VAR decision to fans for first time ever

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      A REFEREE in Morocco made history as he explained a VAR decision to fans inside the stadium for the first time ever. Video Assistant Referees have had a growing and controversial presence in football over the last few years.
      Ma Ning made history after broadcasting his decision-making to fans
      The Club World Cup is voice system trial could be expanded to other competitons
      Fifa chiefs are attempting to tackle criticism that the system lacks transparency and leaves fans inside the ground in the dark.
      The Club World Cup is hosting a trial where refs have to explain their decisions over a loudspeaker in the stadium.
      A game between Oceania champions Auckland City and Egyptian side Al-Ahly’s has gone down in history as the first where the system has been used.
      Chinese referee Ma Ning incorrectly awarded a penalty to Al-Ahly after Taher Mohamed was taken down by Adam Mitchell deep in stoppage time.
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      After consulting the pitch side monitor, Ning realised that the tackle had happened on the edge of the box rather than inside the penalty area.
      The mic’d up official returned to the pitch and his voice boomed over the speaker system to the 47,000 supporters inside the ground.
      Ning said: “Decision will be a free kick. Auckland No.3 – denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”
      He then gave Mitchell a red card. The sending off did not effect the overall outcome of the game with goals from Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Sherif and Percy Tau sending Al-Ahly through to the second round.
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      Fans can expect to see more of the voice system with the technology set to be trailed throughout the Club World Cup, including when Champions League winners Real Madrid enter the tournament.
      If the trial is deemed a success, the men’s Under-20 World Cup and the women’s World Cup will also see the system used.
      It could then arrive in major European competitions like the Premier League. More

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      Man Utd would tumble down the table with Liverpool in a relegation battle if the Premier League didn’t have VAR

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      LIVERPOOL would sink close to a relegation fight if VAR didn’t exist.And Tottenham would leapfrog Manchester United into the top four.

      Jurgen Klopp would be raging even more if his mid-table Liverpool side hadn’t benefited from VAR decisions this seasonCredit: AFP
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag would see in-form Marcus Rashford and Co fall out of the Champions League spots were it not for video replaysCredit: Getty
      That’s the verdict from an old-style Premier League table – one WITHOUT key decisions made by video replays.
      ESPN compiled the Prem’s alternative look, with Arsenal’s lead over champs Manchester City cut from five points to three.
      But the main drama comes below that.
      Spurs would jump from fifth to third, dumping United out of the Champions League places.
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      In contrast, the main sufferers would be Liverpool.
      Jurgen Klopp’s under-achievers can thank VAR for being only a poor ninth rather than 11th and just six points off the drop zone.
      In fact, Liverpool top the list for points gained from video-replay decisions – with SIX picked up.
      Next come Aston Villa on four, followed by United, Brentford and Crystal Palace on three.
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      Lowly Leeds are the main VAR losers on five points.
      Pep Guardiola’s City and West Ham would each have three points scrubbed off, with two removed from Brighton and Everton.
      Of course, that all relies on no other goals being scored after the video verdicts. 
      And that’s a tad unlikely.
      But it still suggests VAR has had a major impact.
      Liverpool’s video benefits, in their otherwise gloomy campaign, included three huge incidents.
      VAR allowed one of Roberto Firmino’s two goals after it was initially ruled out for offside against Mo Salah in a 3-3 draw with Brighton in October, which was most notable for Leandro Trossard’s hat-trick.
      In the same month City hero Phil Foden had a goal erased for an Erling Haaland foul on Fabinho as the Reds eked a 1-0 win at Anfield in October.
      And just a fortnight ago Kai Havertz’s early strike was scrubbed out for offside in a 0-0 Anfield stalemate with Chelsea that helped neither side.
      Chelsea’s Kai Havertz celebrates only to have his goal against Liverpool ruled out by VAR during the Anfield stalemate in JanuaryCredit: AFP More

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      ‘Bit awkward’ – Sam Surridge left red-faced as he does Cristiano Ronaldo celebration before goal vs Man Utd is ruled out

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      SAM SURRIDGE trolled Manchester United by copying Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration – then saw his goal ruled out.The Nottingham Forest striker was left red-faced when VAR chalked what would have been his equaliser off.
      Sam Surridge thought he had levelled for Nottingham Forest against Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      He did the ‘meditating pose’ made famous by Cristiano Ronaldo
      NO GOAL! ❌A ruthless counter-attack from Nottingham Forest is brilliantly finished by Sam Surridge but it’s ruled out for offside after a VAR check! 📺 pic.twitter.com/hmxGrND99v— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 25, 2023

      Surridge, 24, thought he had brought his side level in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the City Ground.
      Morgan Gibbs-White led the rapid counter-attack at United’s exposed defence on 22 minutes.
      He slipped in Surridge, who coolly curled the ball into the bottom corner past David De Gea.
      The ex-Bournemouth man – who scored an equaliser at the Vitality on Saturday – raced away to celebrate in front of the travelling Red Devils supporters as the home end of the stadium erupted.
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      And he chose to recreate the ‘meditating pose’ made famous by ex-United star Ronaldo and also performed by United star Alejandro Garnacho before his Forest team-mates mobbed him.
      However, Forest’s joy was cut short when the VAR looked at the replays and proved Surridge was just offside when the pass was played.
      And plenty of fans took to social media to mock the unfortunate forward – describing the incident as a “bit awkward”.
      One said: “Surridge with the Ronaldo celebration. Only to be called for offside. In your face.”
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      Another wrote: “Man United have to bury Forest now lol. Sam Surridge really disrespected them like this with that Ronaldo celebration.”
      A third added: “That disappointing ending to the Surridge goal is really a homage to Ronaldo’s ending at United.”
      And a final user commented: “And he hit with a Ronaldo celebration against Man Utd this Surridge guy 😭😭😭. Nice try tho.”
      United led 1-0 at the time of Surridge’s blooper moment thanks to Marcus Rashford’s early opener to continue his red-hot form.
      On-loan striker Wout Weghort made it 2-0 to Erik ten Hag’s side just before half-time before Bruno Fernandes completed a dominant 3-0 win.
      Forest supporters were gutted to see the goal ruled outCredit: PA More

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      Premier League games set to last 100 MINUTES next season as World Cup-style time-keeping set for global roll-out

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      WORLD Cup-style time-keeping will be introduced into the Prem next season after football’s Law-makers approved its global roll-out.And fans in stadiums are set to be told by referees why VAR decisions have been made for the first time as the game’s tech revolution gathers pace.
      The Premier League is set to introduce World Cup style added timeCredit: Alamy
      Yesterday’s business meeting of the International FA Board at Wembley saw a series of significant decisions that will change the face of football – with extra added time in each half becoming part of the game.
      England’s World Cup opener against Iran saw 27 minutes of added time across both halves, with an average “ball in play” of 58 minutes across the 64 matches.
      But while Ifab chiefs hailed the “success” of the initiative, they do not believe that matches will last 105 minutes-plus across major leagues and competitions.
      It meant there will be no trial of the idea, championed by former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, of an independent stop-clock ensuring a minimum amount of ball in play time.
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      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham explained: “We wanted to improve the amount the ball was in play within the existing Laws.
      “The World Cup proved we could do that.
      “Rather than having a standardised time of one minute for an injury, if a player went down for three minutes, there were three minutes added.
      “So there’s no advantage for a player in staying on the ground longer than they might otherwise need to – and the team doesn’t gain advantage from it.”
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      Miking up referees for the first time – to explain to the fans in the stadium and watching on TV why a decision has been changed by VAR – will be another huge change.
      It will be trialled in Fifa competitions this season, starting with the imminent Club World Cup where refs include England’s Anthony Taylor, and potentially including the Women’s World Cup in the summer.
      Bullingham added: “The conversation between the referee and the VAR will still be private.
      “But then the referee will effectively go to the crowd and the broadcaster and say ‘this is what’s happened’. 
      “We think it’s significant and really important. We are doing it in international competitions first because that is harder than in domestic leagues where you can use your local language.”
      The move is the first major step by the Ifab into allowing stadium and TV fans a proper insight into VAR deliberations, with Prem chiefs likely to be able to decide in the summer if they will follow suit.
      It also backed the continued evolution of the Semi Automated Offside Technology deployed in the Champions League and World Cup, with members agreeing that the 3D animations give a better understanding of decisions for fans – although they are currently taking too long.
      And referees will be ordered to follow the official Ifab guidelines on what constitutes “deliberate” and “non-deliberate” play by a defender to reset offside, likely to mean Mo Salah’s goal for Liverpool in the FA Cup 3rd round draw with Wolves would have been ruled out.
      But despite the furore caused by Bruno Fernandes’ controversial goal in last weekend’s Manchester derby, the Ifab agreed there was no “gap” in the Laws that needed changing. More

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      Huge VAR shake-up will see referees explain decisions to stadium and TV audience at Club World Cup next week

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      REFEREES at the Club World Cup will announce the reason for VAR decisions to the audience in the stadium and at home, according to reports.Ifab have authorised the trial, which will see referees mic’d up so spectators are made aware of their decisions, according to The Times.
      Referees will announce their decision to the stadium and fans at homeCredit: Reuters
      The report also adds that a similar trial could take place at the Women’s World Cup in the summer.
      Supporters in stadia have so far been left in the dark over VAR checks, sometimes leading to confusion over what is being looked at.
      But the change will allow spectators an insight into why VAR has directed the referee to take another look at offside and handball calls, as well as other infractions.
      Fans and pundits alike have called for such a change, with Ifab agreeing that micing up refs is the easiest way to avoid confusion.

      Ifab also considered but rejected the proposal to introduce a countdown clock into the game.
      The change would have seen an independent timekeeper keep track of added time in an attempt to increase the amount of playing time.
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      Cadiz demand final nine minutes of match are replayed and threaten legal action after clear VAR error

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      CADIZ have demanded a replay of the final nine minutes of their match against Elche after a VAR error cost them a goal.The game ended in a 1-1 draw after Ezequiel Ponce equalised in the 81st minute for Elche.
      Ezequiel Ponce was in an offside position as the ball was headed forward
      The striker scored seconds later to give Elche a point against CadizCredit: Getty
      But replays showed the striker was offside in the build-up – so the goal should not have stood.
      Ponce had strayed beyond the last defender when he ran back to receive a header from his team-mate.
      Three passes later and the ball was in the back of the Cadiz net, with VAR failing to disallow the goal.
      Now Cadiz are threatening legal action leaves them in the La Liga relegation zone and one point off safety.
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      A statement from the club read: “Today, January 17, 2023, the legal services of Cadiz have submitted to the competent federative authorities, a brief challenging the meeting held before Elche.
      “By virtue of which the annulment is requested of the well-deserved match and its resumption from minute 81, at which time the refereeing team validated the goal scored by Elche’s Ezequiel Ponce, despite being preceded by a resounding and flagrant offside, not susceptible to interpretation, as shown by the images of the match.
      “Quite the contrary, if necessary at the end of the season, depending on the sporting and economic damages that may be inferred from the final classification of Cadiz.
      “In the First Division category, this Entity will evaluate the exercise of as many legal actions that assist it in Law, including the action of patrimonial responsibility against the persons, physical or legal, that in the last instance must respond for the damages and losses caused to Cadiz.”
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      Cadiz manager Sergio González revealed referee Carlos del Cerro Grande apologised for the mistake after the match, but club president Manuel Vizcaíno says an apology is not good enough.
      He told radio Marca: “It was hard to sleep last night.
      “There is nothing that can be done for my club now, I just hope it doesn’t happen to someone else.” More

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      Football chiefs to discuss changes to offside law this week after Rashford’s controversial role in Man Utd goal vs City

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      FOOTBALL’S law-makers will this week attempt to sort out the offside chaos after another weekend of controversy.Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team were left furious that Bruno Fernandes’ game-changing leveller was allowed to stand in the Old Trafford derby defeat despite an offside Marcus Rashford marshalling the ball towards goal.
      Bruno Fernandes saw his goal against Manchester City standCredit: AP
      This was despite Marcus Rashford appearing to interfere with play from an offside positionCredit: Reuters
      Man City players were furious over the decisionCredit: Getty
      Ref Stuart Attwell ruled that Rashford had not interfered or impeded any City defender.
      But the decision was the latest offside call to cause controversy.
      The previous weekend saw Mo Salah score an “offside” goal in the FA Cup draw with Wolves after it was deemed that defender Toti had “deliberately” played his wayward clearing header.
      And the lack of consistency across football in many countries sees the International FA Board under pressure to bring some certainty when it meets at Wembley on Wednesday.
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      The “business meeting” comes ahead of the March AGM when formal Law changes for next season will be agreed.
      But one prominent Ifab insider conceded that offside was a “grey area that needs to be addressed”.
      The first move will be confirmation of the guidelines for what determines a “deliberate” defensive play, with more concrete examples of what is viewed as a block or attempted interception – which would NOT be deliberate.
      That would probably have seen the Salah goal chalked off, as Toti was stretching for a misdirected header aware that the Liverpool man was behind him.
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      But Saturday’s events at Old Trafford have heightened the need for more guidance to officials over where an attacking player is or is not deemed to be interfering with play.
      The City defence stopped because they expected the flag to be raised against Rashford before keeper Ederson came out to narrow the angle.
      City could not believe the decision to award the goal after assistant Darren Cann – thinking Rashford had played the ball – raised his flag before Attwell intervened. More

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      The unseen footage that PROVES Liverpool got lucky and Wolves’ offside goal should have counted in FA Cup

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      NEW unseen footage PROVES Liverpool got lucky and Wolves’ FA Cup winner should have stood. Julen Lopetegui was left fuming when Toti Gomes’ late strike was chalked off.
      Toti Gomes’ winner at Anfield should have stood and knocked Liverpool out of the FA CupCredit: Getty
      Video footage shows the camera angle the VAR did not have access to
      Wolves ace Matheus Nunes was played onside in the build-up to the goal

      The assistant referee put his flag up to rule it out, with the official penalising corner-taker Matheus Nunes when the ball was headed back out to him to recycle and cross again.
      But fans, coaches, players and even TV commentators were left baffled with no replays of the correct angle available.
      A lengthy VAR review, therefore, resulted in the linesman’s decision standing and the goal ruled out as the tie ended 2-2 and is heading for a replay.
      But now a fan video from the stands at Anfield shared on Instagram shows the incident unfolding – and it does not make fun viewing for Wolves supporters.
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      It shows Nunes taking the corner and a Wolves team-mate heading the ball back out towards the touchline where the Portuguese playmaker receives it.
      However, when the ball is headed, Nunez is clearly onside thanks to Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back post.
      It means the ex-Sporting star started in a legal position when he ran back to collect and deliver the ball back into the box before Hwang Hee-chan’s shot was turned in by Toti.
      But because the VAR did not have that angle to see Nunes’ position and know he was onside, the goal did not stand.
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      Wolves were left utterly apoplectic with manager Lopetegui and captain Ruben Neves going in to speak with referee Andy Madley afterwards.
      The new Molineux boss wanted answers from the FA or ref body PGMOL and said: “We have seen it, the offside doesn’t exist, I’m sorry. It’s impossible.
      “Someone has told him it’s offside, but we’ve seen the images, it doesn’t exist.
      “The decision is wrong. I make mistakes every day, and sometimes they do too.
      “Today we have the help of VAR, and it is a pity, because I’m sorry, it’s not offside.”
      Wolves – whose anger boiled over again on Wednesday when they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Nottingham Forest on penalties – host Liverpool in the replay on January 17.
      The winners will then travel to Brighton in the fourth round for another all-Premier League clash.
      Toti celebrated wildly before realising the flag had wrongly gone upCredit: Getty
      Julen Lopetegui let rip at referee Andrew Madley for the decisionCredit: Reuters More