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      Dutch legend Marco van Basten reveals radical plans to SCRAP offsides and would make football ‘more interesting’

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      HOLLAND legend Marco van Basten wants to scrap the offside rule from football.The iconic former striker wants to do away with the rule as it will make the sport ‘more interesting’.
      Marco van Basten wants to bin the offside ruleCredit: Getty
      Van Basten, 56, was Fifa’s technical director between 2016 and 2018 and rule improvements were part of his remit.
      Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is Fifa’s head of global development and launched his own offside overhaul to end VAR controversy last month.
      It would see a player being deemed ONSIDE if any part of the body which can legitimately score a goal is level or behind the last defender — even if other parts are in front.
      But Van Basten wants to go one step further and get rid of offsides altogether.
      The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I am still very curious about the offside rule because I am convinced that it is not a good rule.
      “At least I would like to trial it to show that football is also possible without the offside rule. I am convinced that football would be better without it.
      “Football is a fantastic game but I still think that we have to do much more to make it better, more spectacular, more interesting, more exciting. We have to work on that.”
      Van Basten’s ideas would drastically change the way the sport is played but the former AC Milan star has thought it all through.
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      Arsene Wenger also wants to change the offside rule

      He added: “If you do away with the offside line then the defence will drop deeper. They will say that you cannot get behind us because they will be afraid of the opponents getting in behind.
      “But if you go too far back then the 18-yard box is going to become a melee and the goalkeeper will not be able to see anything, so teams will know it is not the solution.
      “As a result, the goalkeeper will want everybody out and that is exactly the point at which it would become so interesting.
      “If the attackers can move behind the defenders there are much more possibilities for goals. It will make the defending more difficult.
      ‘WE TALK ABOUT OFFSIDE DECISIONS A LOT’
      “On the other hand, when you are defending, if there is no offside, you can always have one or two players far away so that when you get the ball you can put it to your forwards in the other half.
      “The attacking team will have to be much more aware than they are now because the field is being made bigger.
      “When the field is made bigger there are much more options for the players in possession and for the trainers to come up with the best way to exploit that.
      “The problem now is that we do have offside and how often are we talking about the offside decisions? A lot.
      “If you do not have offside you have a lot less problems and the teams will still find other solutions to have a good game that will be just as spectacular as it is now but without this bad rule.
      “I am still very interested in it. It would just be nice to test it. I am sure football would find a way to become even more interesting.”
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      Premier League clubs to hold talks over new VAR changes for next season with focus on handball and penalty decisions

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      PREM club chiefs will help agree how to improve VAR next term when they meet virtually on Thursday.The latest meeting of the 20 ‘shareholder’ clubs is due to discuss the feedback from the survey commissioned by League bosses.
      VAR has caused much ire once again this seasonCredit: AP
      There have been 99 calls overturned by VAR this termCredit: PA
      Clubs have been given an extra 48 hours, until Wednesday to return their thoughts on a series of incidents that have taken place this season.
      Fans and players alike have voiced their frustrations over some crunch calls especially over defensive handballs and penalty decisions.
      It is hoped that the responses of players and managers will enable refs’ chief Mike Riley and his officials to agree on a consistent approach for the new campaign from August.
      League bosses and clubs accept that subjective refereeing calls mean there can never be 100 per cent consistency.
      But the aim is to give all officials clearer starting points for their decisions, either on the pitch or in the VAR booth at Stockley Park.
      So far there have been 99 on-field decisions in the Prem this season altered after VAR intervention.
      Liverpool have been the hardest hit, with a net six ‘goals’ chalked off, costing them four points.
      West Ham, by contrast, have gained four points from VAR decisions in their favour.
      PL TABLE WITHOUT VAR
      1 Man City 30 22 4 4 64 22 70 (=) -1
      2 Man Utd  29 16 8 5 59 34 56 (=) -1
      3 Leicester 29 16 7 6 54 32 55  (=) -1
      4 Liverpool  29 15 5 9 54 37 50 (+3) +4
      5 Chelsea  29 13 9 7 44 28 48 (-1) -3
      6 Tottenham 29 13 8 8 50 30 47 (=) -1
      7 Arsenal   29 13 6 10 43 32 45  (+2) +3
      8 West Ham 29 12 9 8 44 37 45 (-3) -4
      9 A Villa      28  12 7 9 43 32  43 (+1) +2
      10 Everton    28 13 4 11 40 39 43 (-2) -3
      11 Leeds       29 12 3 14 45 48 39 (=)  =
      12 C Palace  29  9 9 11 30 46 36 (=) -1
      13 Brighton   29 7 14 8 33 37 35  (+3) +3
      14 Wolves   29 8 10 11 31 37 34 (-1) -1
      15 Southampton 29 9 6 14 38 54 33 (-1) = 
      16 Burnley  29 8 8 13 22 39 32  (-1) -1
      17 Newcastle  29 7 6 16 27 46 28 (=) =
      18 Fulham 30 5 10 15 24 39 25 (=) -1
      19 WBA 29 3 10 16 21 56 19 (=) +1
      20 Sheff Utd 29 4 2 23 14 51 14  (=) =

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      Without VAR, Liverpool would have been fourth in the table, two points ahead of Chelsea, with the Hammers down in eighth.
      Brighton have three points fewer than they would have won without VAR, costing them three places in the table. The bottom four, though, are unchanged.   
      At the same stage last term there had been 81 changes, with the season’s aggregate of 109 overturns almost certain to be surpassed this time round.
      One of the reasons for the higher number was the initial hardline approach to handballs which was relaxed after Riley received dispensation from the International FA Board to be less doctrinaire.
      Ifab has now clarified that goals will only be ruled out next season if an accidental handball is committed by the scorer, while the Law-makers agreed that there is more margin for defenders to handle if they are in a ‘natural position’.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

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      VAR shambles as chiefs with NO football experience ‘overruling Premier League referees at Stockley Park’

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      VAR commanders with no authority in the Premier League are astonishingly over-ruling referees, it has been claimed.Former ref Mark Halsey has learned VAR Andy Madley was told by commander Adam Carter NOT to award Manchester City’s Phil Foden a blatant penalty against Southampton last week.
      VAR decisions are being taken out of experienced referees’ handsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On-field ref Jon Moss was not asked to review the incident on the pitch side monitor with a view to changing his original ruling, leaving boss Pep Guardiola to slam the decision as “incredible”.
      Halsey’s worrying claim will put the spotlight on Carter, who has never been a referee.
      Halsey, a Prem ref from 1999-2013, said: “I have been informed by reliable people involved in officiating about what is happening at Stockley Park regarding VAR decision-making.
      “The incident involving Phil Foden and Alex McCarthy was not deemed a penalty by on-field referee Jon Moss.
      “I have been told VAR Andy Madley thought it was a penalty and was about to recommend a review when Adam Carter got involved and told Madley that’s not a penalty.
      “The match commander should not be making decisions during a game.
      “Adam has never been a referee, he’s been an analyst.
      I feel for the officials in this situation. Now I know why VAR is all over the place and has drawn criticism.Mark Halsey
      “I understand the incident at City has been the talk of officials across the leagues over the past week. It makes me wonder, has this happened before? 
      “I feel for the officials in this situation. Now I know why VAR is all over the place and has drawn criticism from managers, players and fans for its inconsistency and rightly so.
      “The proof is in the pudding over how it has been operated for the last two seasons.”
      Play continued at the Etihad without a review in City’s 5-2 win over the Saints.
      The incident also led to Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness furiously criticising the officials.
      He said: “They just make it up as they go along.
      “It is nonsense and they make themselves look stupid.”
      Phil Foden was not awarded a penalty against Southampton in controversial circumstancesCredit: PA
      Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has revealed the course of decision making at Stockley ParkCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      VAR match commanders are allowed to be at Stockley Park with VAR officials, as was the case when Neil Swarbrick had an animated chat with Stuart Attwell in Leicester’s win over Wolves in November.
      But they should not be involved in the decision-making.
      In Germany, VAR project manager Hellmut Krug was removed from his position in 2017 amid claims he had influenced decisions in Schalke’s game with Wolfsburg.
      Krug denied he had any influence but lost his job days later.
      Carter, who was previously an assistant analyst at the PGMOL, is one of three matchday commanders – the others being former top-flight referee Swarbrick and former assistant ref Mike Mullarkey.
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      The Premier League has sent out a survey to clubs to canvass their opinions on VAR.
      It includes the question ‘to what extent do you support or oppose the use of VAR in the Premier League?’.
      One club source told us: “Do they really need the answer to that? We all know it’s not working.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

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      Prem stars invited to fix VAR shambles as league chiefs send survey to all clubs for feedback on system

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      PREM stars are being quizzed on how they can fix the VAR mess.
      Surveys are being sent out to all 20 top-flight clubs in an unprecedented move by league chiefs.

      Premier League managers like Man City’s Pep Guardiola have openly blasted VARCredit: Rex Features

      Etihad star Phil Foden was denied what many thought was a blatant penalty against Southampton on Wednesday, highlighting the VAR controversyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy escaped punishment for what seemed a clear trip on Phil Foden during Man City’s midweek 5-2 winCredit: Rex Features

      And managers, captains and top brass will provide feedback on the system, which has been ridiculed all season.
      The shambles reached a new low on Wednesday after Manchester City’s Phil Foden was denied a stonewall penalty against Southampton.
      It sparked outrage from City chief Pep Guardiola, with fellow top-flight bosses rounding to blast VAR once again yesterday.
      League chiefs will now finally listen to their frustrations and surveys are expected to be returned by next Friday ahead of being discussed at the next shareholder meeting on March 25.

      Furious Guardiola claimed it was “incredible” VAR did not award  a penalty when Foden tried to stay on his feet after being taken out by keeper Alex McCarthy in the 5-2 win.
      And Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes the incident may prove to be a turning point for VAR.
      He said: “It’s truly bizarre. It amazes me in the modern game that you try to do the right thing and you get nothing, but when you do the wrong thing you get everything.
      “But maybe the Foden one might spark some interest because of the power of City — and rightly so with the level of the market that they’re at.

      “It’s only positive if they listen and change. It’s not positive if they don’t change. Getting some sort of feedback is necessary.”

      I’m not a lover of VAR. I don’t think I will be and I need convincing.”
      Fulham boss Scott Parker

      Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness slammed the decision not to award City a penalty.
      He snapped: “These guys at Stockley Park must be having a toilet break. It is a nonsense, they look stupid.”
      Newcastle boss Steve Bruce added: “It was a stonewall penalty. It was brought in for the clear and obvious mistake a referee made and I don’t think we’ve got the balance right.”
      Clubs will be sent a series of clips of controversial calls and asked how they believe these incidents should have been judged.
      Fulham gaffer Scott Parker said: “I’m not a lover of VAR. I don’t think I will be and I need convincing.”
      Offside decisions will not be part of the survey because the Premier League are tied to the protocols of lawmakers Ifab.
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      The initiative is a joint idea agreed by Prem chiefs and refs’ boss Mike Riley, who has already consulted the Football Supporters’ Association.
      So far this season, there have been 97 decisions in the top-flight changed after VAR intervention.
      Refs have stuck with their original decisions on six occasions after being recommended to overturn.

      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

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      Lionel Messi’s missed penalty vs PSG SHOULD have been retaken as replays show Verratti ‘nearly on Barcelona star’s back’

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      LIONEL MESSI’S missed penalty should have been retaken as replays show Marco Verratti WAS encroaching.
      Pundit Joe Cole went as far as to suggest the PSG player was ‘nearly on Messi’s back’.

      Replays showed Marco Verratti was clearly inside the D when Lionel Messi took his penaltyCredit: BT Sport

      “How have they not picked up that he’s encroaching there…””If you run the tape on, you see, he actually affects the game!”Joe Cole was in disbelief that Marco Verratti got away with encroachment during Lionel Messi’s vital penalty miss vs. PSG 😳 pic.twitter.com/v7L0K50OLd
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 10, 2021

      The Barcelona superstar, 33, had a glorious chance to put his side 2-1 up at Paris Saint-Germain on the stroke of half-time.
      A goal at that point could have transformed the tie.
      The Spanish giants would have needed just two more goals in the second half in Paris to level the tie at 8-8 and take it to extra-time.
      But the Argentine saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Keylor Navas, who managed to deflect the ball on to the crossbar.

      It then looped back into the middle of the penalty area where Verratti got up unchallenged to head it out for a corner.
      Referee Anthony Taylor was told to wait for the corner to be taken while English officials Stuart Attwell and Paul Tierney reviewed the footage on VAR duty.
      Somehow they concluded there was no problem – despite replays clearly proving the Italian midfielder was well inside the D at the moment Messi took the strike.

      He’s nearly on Messi’s back! He’s so far inside.
      Joe ColeBT Sport pundit

      BT Sport pundits Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves picked up on the blunder.

      Ex-Chelsea man Cole said: “We got back to VAR, I’m at pains to do it, but how have they not picked up that he’s [Verratti] encroaching there?
      “He’s nearly on Messi’s back! He’s so far inside.
      “If you run the tape on, you see, he actually affects the game when he clears it with the header.
      “We want to get so pedantic about rules and laws and technology but the people looking at it can’t see that – I don’t understand where we are.
      “I just can’t understand how you can make such a poor decision – it’s a massive moment.”
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      Keylor Navas was in inspired form as he deflected the strike on to the bar and made a number of other key savesCredit: EPA

      Verratti was able to get up for an unchallenged header and clear the ball out for a cornerCredit: BT Sport

      Kylian Mbappe put PSG in front on the night from the penalty spot after Taylor watched replays of Clement Lenglet’s accidental trip on Mauro Icardi.
      He became the youngest player to score 25 Champions League goals and put his side 5-1 ahead on aggregate.
      Messi equalised with a thunderbolt into the top corner but Barca struggled to break through Navas – in part down to Ousmane Dembele’s poor finishing – as it ended 1-1 on the night.
      The result sent Barcelona crashing out and ensured neither Messi nor Ronaldo – whose Juventus side crashed out to Porto – would be in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2005.
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      A second goal just before half-time could have changed the course of the tie in Barcelona’s favourCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Referee conversations with VAR may be heard in Premier League as IFAB open talks over fans listening in for first time

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      FANS could get to hear VAR advice to referees after football’s Lawmakers agreed the idea has merit. 
      Until now, the International FA Board has been staunchly against the concept of ‘live’ broadcasting of the conversations between match officials.

      Fans could soon be able to listen in to referees talking with VAR officialsCredit: Getty

      Fans of the Australian A-League have been able to hear the full exchanges after matches have finished, while Fifa replayed some of the match video at the end of the 2018 World Cup.
      But now Ifab and Fifa have agreed the blanket ban must be looked at again, with Fifa President Gianni Infantino confirming: “This will be further discussed.”
      And FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who along with representatives of the other three Home Nations helps make up half of the Ifab board, confirmed the new direction of travel. 
      Bullingham said: “Through its technical panel, Ifab will look at whether audio should be released on VAR communications.

      “It is recognised that this has helped other sports and also enhanced the fan experience.
      “We will see how the arguments come out on that and we haven’t gone into details on a timeframe yet.
      “But we are talking about giving the spectators, in the ground or at home, access to the conversations between the referee and the VAR.
      “Most people have seen some of the Australian experiments and it’s similar to what you have in rugby and cricket.”

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      He added: “Anything like that, which gives the fan insight into the decisions being made, is helpful to the fans and the referee, so it’s something that should be explored.
      “Initially it was asked more about in the context of broadcasting the conversations on TV, but if you’re going to do that, why would you not explore ‘Ref Link’ and those type of options?
      “Conceptually, it’s something people thought would be worth exploring and we absolutely could do that.”

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      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

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      Accidental handballs that lead to goals will no longer be an offence just day after Fulham denied draw against Tottenham

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      FOOTBALL’S law makers have ruled that the handball rule should change for next season.
      But the decision came a day too late for Fulham.

      Law makers have ruled that the handball rule should change for next season – but it will come a day too late for Fulham

      The Cottagers were denied a vital equaliser against Tottenham on Thursday when Davinson Sanchez’s clearance rebounded off the arm of Mario Lemina before Josh Maja swept home.
      Under the current rules, ref David Coote had to disallow the goal after being alerted to the handball by VAR Jarred Gillett.
      But the annual general meeting of the International FA Board has revealed a change in handball laws for next season that would have seen the goal stand.
      While the ball touching the arm of the scorer will still mean the goal being chalked off, even if the offence is accidental, Ifab agreed: “Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.”

      Ifab conceded that ‘the interpretation of handball incidents has not always been consistent’ since the new laws were introduced.
      As a result, it ruled: “Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence. 
      “In terms of the criterion of the hand/arm making a player’s body ‘unnaturally bigger’, it was confirmed that referees should continue to use their judgment in determining the validity of the hand/arm’s position in relation to the player’s movement in that specific situation.”
      Ifab confirmed deliberate handball, when a player moved his hand or arm to the ball was an offence.

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      Fulham saw their equaliser ruled out by VAR for an accidental handball in the build-upCredit: Rex Features

      It also can be an offence if a player ‘has made their body unnaturally bigger’, defined as ‘when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation’. 
      That is how Premier League referees have been operating since October, when Ifab gave them the chance to adopt a less rigid approach than had been in operation at that start of the season.
      In another change, Ifab confirmed that offside must be determined by the ‘bottom of the armpit’.
      Ifab listened to a presentation from former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, on potential changes to the offside law, including semi-automated ‘robo-ref’ offside lines and low-cost versions of VAR for less wealthy countries.
      The new laws will come into effect from July 1, one month later than in the past.

      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

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      Fulham fury as Maja equaliser against Tottenham is controversially ruled out over Lemina handball

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      FULHAM raged as Josh Maja’s equaliser against Tottenham was controversially ruled out for handball.
      The ball was blasted into Mario Lemina’s arm from close range in the build-up.

      Josh Maja’s equaliser was ruled out for Fulham after the ball struck Mario Lemina’s hand

      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey told SunSport: “The law is an ass and the bizarre reality at the moment is there’s one handball law for attackers and another for defenders inside the penalty box.”
      Davinson Sanchez attempted to dig a clearance out inside the Spurs penalty box.
      Lemina, standing just a couple of yards away, had his arm inside the shape of his body as the ball caught his gloved hand beside his hip.
      The ball then fell to Maja who stuck it into the bottom corner past Hugo Lloris.

      Fulham thought they had secured a crucial goal that would have earned a massive point in their fight for survival.
      But VAR Jarred Gillett suggested a pitchside review and David Coote duly agreed to rule it out after watching the replay, much to Fulham’s frustration.
      It was a complete accident but the VAR protocol states a goal cannot stand if there has been a handball by the attacking team in the build-up or to score.
      Lemina – who had seen a good effort saved by Lloris moments earlier – could not believe the decision while plenty of Cottagers fans, as well as those of Spurs’ rivals, vented their anger online.

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      𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗔𝗥 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 👀A Fulham equaliser was ruled out for handball in their 1-0 defeat to Spurs – but was it harsh? 🤔
      — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 4, 2021

      Mark Halsey says…

      FULHAM’S second half goal against Tottenham was correctly disallowed for a handball in the build-up by Mario Lemina.
      VAR official Jarred Gillett made the right call as per Law 12: handling the ball to help referee David Coote, who ruled out Josh Maja’s strike.
      The ball accidentally hit attacker Lemina’s arm even though the ball was blasted at him and his arm was in a natural position down by his side.
      The law is an ass and the bizarre reality at the moment is there’s one handball law for attackers and another for defenders inside the penalty box.
      In the example above, if the ball had hit a defender’s arm then a penalty would not have been given.

      And to rub salt into the wound, Jose Mourinho’s men held on for a tight 1-0 win in the London derby thanks to Tosin Adarabioyo’s own goal – a result which leaves Scott Parker’s side three points adrift of safety.
      The incident comes just hours before football law-makers try and clear up the handball controversy tomorrow at Ifab’s AGM.
      Premier League chiefs have already adopted most of the proposals which will mean defensive handballs are not automatically penalised.
      However, unless there is an unexpected change of stance, any handball by the attacking team which leads directly to a goal – as was the case at Craven Cottage – will still see the strike chalked off.
      Ifab members will also hear a presentation from former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, over his backing for a new ‘daylight’ definition of offside, kick-ins rather than throw-ins in defensive halves and allowing players to take quick free-kicks to themselves.

      The on-loan forward reacted well to turn the ball home into the bottom cornerCredit: Reuters

      Cottagers skipper Joachim Andersen pleads his side’s case with referee David Coote but to no availCredit: AFP

      Wenger comments on the VAR decision that denied Ronaldo a penalty against Porto More