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      VAR changes MUST be made as referees’ mistakes are turning Premier League into a complete farce, warns Mark Halsey

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      OFFICIALS and VAR are turning the English game into a complete farce.
      We all make mistakes — but not on the level we are now seeing from Premier League officials.

      Aston Villa were denied what looked a definite penalty against Brighton by VAR

      Former Prem ref Mark Halsey writes exclusively for Sun SportCredit: PA:Press Association

      However, I have sympathy for the men in the middle, because the management from the PGMOL is creating confusion and failing the game through a clear lack of leadership and direction — leading to officiating which is nowhere near the quality it should be at this level.
      The training and coaching that officials receive is also severely sub-standard.
      Referees need help and they would get it if the PGMOL was to use the elite-level experience of retired referees. Changes urgently need to be made, including listening to the communication between referees and VAR officials.
      I feel the people at Stockley Park are leading the conversations and causing games to effectively being re-refereed.

      All they need to be told is when they have made a ‘clear and obvious error’ — which is precisely what VAR was introduced to eradicate — like Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe’s off-the-ball headbutt on Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski.
      The way the system is implemented is creating too much doubt in referees’ minds and we are seeing muddled decision-making.
      Aston Villa boss Dean Smith saw his team denied a penalty after a decision was overturned in injury time of their 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
      Smith had every right to be furious and even opposition manager Graham Potter admitted he is clueless about what now counts as a spot-kick.

      West Brom were denied another clear penalty as referee David Coote changed his mind after viewing the VAR monitorCredit: AFP or Licensors

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      Michael Oliver indicated Solly March ‘won’ the ball before catching Villa winger Trezeguet.
      But in my opinion that IS a foul because Brighton’s March only brushed the ball after Trezeguet played on to him.
      Trezeguet would clearly have taken the next touch, although he does himself no favours with the theatrical way he goes down.
      Was it a ‘clear and obvious error’ from Oliver? Absolutely not.
      I believe Oliver should have stuck with his original decision after being recommended a review and not been put under pressure by Stockley Park.
      A similar incident at Old Trafford left West Brom boss Slaven Bilic furious when referee David Coote changed his mind to award a penalty after Bruno Fernandes fouled Conor Gallagher.
      Like March, Fernandes touched the ball before fouling his opponent. Was it a ‘clear and obvious error?’ Absolutely not.
      Both incidents should not have been recommended for a pitchside review — and whatever was said between officials should be broadcasted to create the transparency which fans, players and coaches want.
      Even if we were to accept VAR is being overused to re-referee games and not just for ‘clear and obvious errors’, then just let the referees view the screens — like in rugby union — with minimal interference.
      Working in Stockley Park the day before a game, as officials often do, is no way to prepare to referee a Premier League match.

      Active officials should stay active, with former referees working at Stockley Park — as I understand they do in the MLS.
      Another problem is referees and governing bodies like Uefa, Fifa and lawmakers Ifab are confused about what are ‘unnatural’ and ‘natural’ positions for arms with regard to the interpretation of the handball law.
      It is leading to lots of incorrect decisions and farcical penalties, like the one Rennes conceded in their Champions League defeat at Chelsea.
      Players are throwing their hands from natural positions into unnatural ones — like behind their back — and it is wreaking havoc.
      We need to stop this farce which is driving fans away at a time when the game needs them most.

      Barcelona boss Koeman blasts VAR after loss to Real Madrid More

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      Watch Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe get sent off for HEADBUTT on Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski as tempers flare in fiery draw

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      NICOLAS PEPE was slammed by Mikel Arteta for headbutting Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski in Arsenal’s fiery 0-0 draw at Elland Road.
      The Gunners winger was clearly frustrated with the North Macedonia star during the clash.

      Nicolas Pepe was sent off for a stupid headbutt on Ezgjan AlioskiCredit: Reuters

      Arsenal’s record signing was caught out by the video replays at Elland RoadCredit: Sky Sports

      And with the ball elsewhere, he confronted Alioski and stupidly pushed his head into his opponent’s forehead five minutes into the second half.
      The Leeds man went down clutching his head with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on the ball.
      Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop play after not seeing the incident live.
      But after just a brief look at the VAR monitor, his decision was easy and he showed Pepe the red card.

      Replays later on the half showed Pepe and Alioski tussling a few minutes prior to the red-card incident.
      And the next time they came back together, they both pushed out their arms before Pepe took the bait.
      Gary Neville, on co-commentary for Sky Sports, called the action: “It’s Pepe and Alioski. Has Pepe reacted? He’s wandering back towards the Leeds man.
      “Oh… he might be in a bit of trouble. Yes, he’s in trouble.

      Replays showed the winger throw his head into the forehand of his opponentCredit: Sky Sports

      Anthony Taylor only needed a brief look at the VAR monitorCredit: Reuters

      “He’s reacted to the initial contact and Alioski just stands his ground and the head comes towards him. He’s done.”
      Pepe had no complaints when the red card was brandished and trudged off the pitch and up the steps back to the away dressing room.
      The decision came in the 51st minute, giving Arsenal 40 minutes to battle away with ten men against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic side.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded Pepe ‘unacceptable’ and accused him of ‘letting the team down’.
      He said: “It is unacceptable. Unacceptable. At this level you cannot do it.
      “With ten men it is a big disadvantage. I really liked the personality of the team when Pepe let the team down, how we stuck to do what we had to do and had a moment or two to win the game, but obviously it makes it really difficult.”
      And Patrice Evra also let rip at the idiotic move.
      He said: “Pepe should say sorry to all his team-mates, because Arsenal had to change their plans after that.

      Pepe and Alioski had a coming together just minutes before the red-card incidentCredit: Sky Sports

      The Leeds man went down clutching his face and made sure there was a VAR reviewCredit: AFP

      Pepe could have no complaints as he was given his marching ordersCredit: Reuters
      “Alioski deserves an Oscar… he looked like he’d broken his nose or something.
      “But it’s really silly from Pepe. When you’re not playing a lot, and you do that when they gave you a chance, don’t cry if you’re not playing the next games.”
      Asked whether Pepe had apologised, Hector Bellerin said: “These things stay in the changing room.
      “After the game everyone has a lot of adrenaline and these things need to wait until later in the week.”
      The Gunners did hold on for a 0-0 draw – and rode their luck as Leeds hit the woodwork multiple times.
      And tempers flared after the full-time whistle with Kieran Tierney seemingly venting his anger at Alioski after they clashed towards just before the end of the match.
      The Scottish left-back was held back by team-mates and backroom staff before eventually being ushered away.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Tempers flared after the full-time whistle between Alioski and Kieran TierneyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Pepe trudged up the steps back to the away dressing room for the final 40 minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arteta says Pepe can make a difference every week but he needs to find consistency More

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      Ref David Coote AXED from VAR duty for Liverpool clash with Leicester after fan outrage following Merseyside derby gaffe

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      DAVID COOTE has been axed from VAR duty for Liverpool’s showdown with Leicester this weekend after his Merseyside derby gaffe.
      The ref has been replaced by Andre Marriner for Sunday night’s clash at Anfield in what would’ve been his first Reds game since the derby.

      David Coote has been axed from Liverpool’s clash with LeicesterCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Liverpool fans were outraged that Jordan Pickford went unpunished for this challenge on Virgil van DijkCredit: Press Association

      Coote will instead be in the middle for Man Utd’s game against West Brom on Saturday night.
      Liverpool fans were outraged in the 2-2 draw against Everton when Jordan Pickford escaped unpunished for a horror tackle that left Virgil van Dijk needing knee ligament surgery.
      Coote was dropped for a week and has taken charge of two Prem and one Championship game since.
      Liverpool were also furious with the decision to disallow Jordan Henderson’s goal that would have won the game with Sadio Mane adjudged offside.

      The Reds demanded an explanation from the Premier League as to why Pickford’s challenge on Van Dijk went unpunished.
      The Everton goalkeeper avoided any retrospective action because the incident was seen by match officials.

      Champions Liverpool face leaders Leicester in the pick of this weekend’s action on Sunday night.
      Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is facing a selection headache with a mounting injury list – including all four of his regular defence plus midfield stalwarts Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

      Mo Salah is also still isolating in Egypt after testing positive for coronavirus while on international duty.

      Sam Allardyce feels Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off in Everton v Liverpool match More

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      ‘Robot’ assistant referees at World Cup a step closer after Fifa ask tech firms to draw up design plans

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      PLANS for ‘robot’ assistant referees to be introduced for the 2022 World Cup have taken a step forward after Fifa asked tech companies to prove they can design a system that works.
      Fifa chiefs have been working on the proposal for a year.

      Fifa are hoping to have ‘robot’ assistant referees ready for the 2022 World CupCredit: EPA

      The governing body even put behind the scenes trials in place for last year’s Club World Cup – also held in Qatar and won by Liverpool.
      Now Fifa’s Working Group for Innovation Excellence – which includes Premier League refs’ PGMOL – wants the new trials to start early next year.
      Among the systems is the Tracab programme developed by Sweden’s Chyron-Hego.
      The tech uses artificial intelligence-driven ball-tracking combined with limb tracking and ‘skeletal modelling’.

      The company promised: “Tracab can determine the exact moment of a critical ball pass and the precise location of involved players and their limbs relative to the goal line.”
      Premier League tech partners Hawk-Eye are also understood to be developing their own versions of the software.
      However, Fifa are still seeking improvements in the graphical ‘visualisation of close offside incidents’.
      Fifa’s head of technology Johannes Holzmuller has described the trials to date as ‘very promising’.

      Offside calls have been in the headlines lately, particularly this call against Patrick Bamford in the most-recent round of PL games

      There is now growing confidence in Zurich that Qatar 2022 will see the system used for the first time at a major event.
      Offside calls have been coming under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with VAR seemingly creating as many issues in the Premier League as it solves.
      Fans have been left bitterly disappointed by the video technology after players have been caught offside by their armpit, despite the rest of their body being well onside.
      Most-recently, Patrick Bamford’s disallowed effort for Leeds against Crystal Palace hit the headlines after he appeared to be miles onside, only for VAR to chalk off his strike.

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      Uefa beg Fifa to change ‘unfair’ handball laws with VAR controversy in Chelsea’s win over Rennes the final straw

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      UEFA have pleaded with Fifa to change the “unfair” handball laws – after another night of VAR controversy.
      Chelsea’s second penalty in their 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes left the French side shocked by both the VAR spot-kick award and the second yellow card for defender Dalbert Henrique.

      UEFA have intervened after widespread dismay over a handball incident between Chelsea and Rennes last night Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      BT pundit Rio Ferdinand slammed German referee Felix Swayer for an “absolute disgrace” of a decision, with Timo Werner slotting home his second penalty of the night.
      And now Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has stepped into the ongoing rows over the handball Laws by urging Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to intervene.
      In a letter to Zurich, Ceferin said: “The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offense has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community.”
      Despite being the wealthiest and most powerful of Fifa’s Confederations, Uefa has NO place on the Law-making International FA Board, made up of the four Home Nations and four representatives of the world governing body.

      The latest Laws, agreed by Ifab in Belfast in March, came into effect on June 1.
      Infantino had championed the introduction of the “tee-shirt line” which means the shoulder is no longer considered part of the arm.
      But Ifab, backed by Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina, guides that handling offences when the body is made ‘unnaturally bigger’, must be punished.
      Although the Premier League was given dispensation to apply a less strict criteria after a controversial start to the season, Uefa is sticking more firmly to the official guidelines.

      Aleksander Ceferin wrote to FIFA over the handball rules Credit: Reuters
      In addition, the 2019 Law which sees any goal chalked off if the ball is handled by the scorer or player who passes directly to a scoring team-mate, has caused frustration.
      Ceferin added: ”The spirit of the game must be preserved at all times.
      “The arms are part of bodies dynamically engaged in athletic efforts and their movement is necessary to preserve the body balance, make the effort successful and avoid injuries.
      “Defenders are nowadays forced to assume ‘unnatural’ positions simply to avoid the risk of seeing their hand or arm accidentally hit by the ball and concede a penalty kick.
      “There are also plenty of situations where hands/arms exposed outside the profile of the body in moves which are understood to be natural, unintentional and unavoidable have been punished with penalty kicks. This is no good service to the game.”
      The Uefa President suggested in his letter that the widespread use of VAR had been more of a curse than a blessing in terms of decisions.
      Ceferin said VAR had ‘exacerbated’ problems, leading to ‘paranoid effects and controversial outcomes’.
      He added: ‘lf the original spirit of this amendment was to avoid that a goal is scored with a hand or arm, this goes far beyond the rationale.’

      Gianni Infantino may have some thinking to do as the handball rule continues to attract controversyCredit: Reuters
      “It leads to goals being disallowed following situations where the ball may have minimally hit the hand or arm of a player, without any intention, even when the deflection did not have any significant impact on scoring the goal.
      “There is no shame in admitting that sometimes decisions that are made for the good do not achieve their objectives and should be reviewed.

      “Doing so would certainly not undermine the credibility of IFAB.
      “I believe that going back to the previous wording, perhaps reviewed and integrated by a provision which does not allow goals to be scored with a hand/arm, is an option to be taken into account.”
      Ceferin’s letter comes ahead of the looming ‘business meeting’ of Ifab, which will determine any Law change proposals to be decided by the organisation’s AGM, due to be held in Cardiff next March. More

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      VAR under spotlight again as Chelsea cruise past Rennes with help from officials

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      THROUGHOUT the season there are always going to be moments where teams get the swing of the pendulum in terms of VAR decisions – and other games when it will go against them.
      In Chelsea’s Champions League win over Rennes, the pendulum swung heavily in the direction of Frank Lampard’s side.

      ⚠️ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea could thank a major VAR decision going their way in the 3-0 win over RennesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Blues were narrowly winning the Group E tie thanks to Timo Werner’s tenth-minute penalty after he was fouled in the box by Rennes defender Dalbert.
      Chelsea were not playing badly by any stretch, but after the goal Rennes started to get back into the game and actually edged Chelsea slightly in terms of possession.
      The game had a feel of being on a knife’s edge and Rennes looked like threatening the Chelsea goal as things went on.

      But Lampard’s side were about to be handed the game on a plate before the half-time whistle sounded.
      Dalbert was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area, which was picked up by VAR.
      The German referee Felix Zwayer then checked the monitor at the side of the pitch and gave the penalty to Chelsea, and duly sent Dalbert off for an early shower.
      Werner scored his second penalty of the night for Chelsea and put them two goals clear, with one extra man on the pitch.

      Chelsea didn’t even need to get out of second gear and were very much gifted a massive Champions League victory in what looked like a pair of very harsh decisions from tonight’s officials.

      German referee Felix Zwayer penalised Dalbert for his handball after the ball bounced up off his legCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      He also showed the Rennes defender a second yellow card to send him for an early bathCredit: Reuters

      They went on to score their third goal despite not really playing amazingly well, but Lampard’s team did the job and came away with yet another clean sheet – their fifth in a row, the first time they have done this since 2010.
      Edouard Mendy now has six shoutouts in his first seven games for Chelsea, another incredible stat, and Chelsea have gone seven-and-a-half hours now without conceding.
      But Rennes can feel aggrieved, Chelsea will take that with open arms knowing full well that it has been before, and will be again, themselves on the back of some poor VAR decisions and officiating.
      It also begs the question once more, is VAR really helping or hindering the game?
      Many have their strong views on the subject and it always manages to split opinions, but when you see decisions like this tonight, it really does throw VAR under the bus.
      Many believe it is ruining the beautiful game but Chelsea will take it.
      It’s put them in a fine position to qualify for the knockout stages of Europe’s most prestigious competition.
      Chelsea fans certainly won’t mind and a chance to see their team advance in the competition once more is a big appeal.
      To do it without their players hardly having to put their foot on the gas at all can only be a good thing.
      But we shall sign out with the words of Rio Ferdinand at half-time when describing the penalty and sending off incident: “It’s a disgrace, it’s ruining football.”

      The definition of putting it on a plate 🍽Reece James with the perfect assist for Tammy Abraham! 👌Chelsea are in control at the Bridge… pic.twitter.com/2wwh0ImqMD
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 4, 2020

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      Watch Luis Suarez get BOOKED for taking sneaky look at VAR screen as ref gives penalty against Atletico Madrid in Russia

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      LUIS SUAREZ was BOOKED for taking a sneaky look at the VAR screen during Tuesday night’s clash between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow.
      With the LaLiga giants leading 1-0, Hector Herrera appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area just five minutes after scoring his side’s opener.

      Luis Suárez got booked for looking over the referee’s shoulder at the monitor during a VAR decision.The most Luis Suárez thing ever 😂 pic.twitter.com/CJGEwJ2v7V
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2020

      Luis Suarez was booked for taking a look at the VAR monitor over the ref’s shoulder

      The ref brandished a yellow card after he caught Suarez peeking at the TVCredit: AFP

      As the referee went to take a look at the VAR monitor, Suarez followed and took a cheeky peek over his shoulder.
      The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker was promptly shown yellow for the stunt for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’.
      To compound Suarez’s misery, Anton Miranchuk converted the penalty to draw even at one-apiece in Russia.
      But Suarez is no stranger to on-field controversy.

      As well as being banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2013, Suarez has been caught biting opponents THREE times.
      The Uruguayan was caught munching on PSV star Otman Bakkal during his time at Ajax and was banned for seven games.
      He was later banned for ten games after he bit then-Chelsea ace Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, before sinking his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
      The latter saw him suspended from all footballing activity for four months.

      Suarez was booked as he hunted his first goal in the 2020-21 Champions LeagueCredit: AFP

      Suarez was also sent-off during the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals against Ghana for an outrageous, deliberate handball preventing Dominic Adiyiah from scoring in the final minute with the scores level at 1-1.
      A penalty was awarded and subsequently missed – with Uruguay ultimately progressing on penalties thanks to Suarez’s ‘save’.
      Suarez also once punched Chile star Gonzalo Jara in the face in a heated 2013 international.
      Most-recently, Suarez was caught up in a cheat storm over the mandatory Italian exam he would have had to have passed to have completed his failed move to Juventus.
      The University of Perugia were believed to be the focus of the police investigations, not Suarez himself after it was claimed the player was given the answers in advance.
      Suarez instead moved to Atletico Madrid and has been in good form in the league, including four goals in five LaLiga matches.
      The striker is yet to score in the Champions League this season, though.
      In an impressive, yet bizarre career, Suarez has also appealed for handball against a GOALKEEPER – in a Copa America clash against Chile last year.

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      Andros Townsend slams VAR after yet more controversy as winger admits he’s ‘never been a fan of emotion-ruining tech’

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      ANDROS TOWNSEND wants rid of VAR because it is ruining the raw emotion of football.
      The Crystal Palace star is no fan of referees consulting pitch-side monitors as it unnecessarily slows down the game.

      Townsend has lashed out at VAR after a controversial moment during Fulham vs PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association

      Kamara was sent off after the ref checked the pitch-side monitor and players from both sides pleading for just a yellow cardCredit: PA:Press Association

      The winger could only laugh as Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara was sent-off in the Eagles’ 2-1 win at Craven Cottage on Saturday after ref Graham Scott had checked the incident on telly by the side of the pitch.
      That was despite Townsend and other players from both sides pleading with the official to only issue a booking.
      He told talkSPORT: “Yes, it was a bad tackle but the intention was to get the ball, it wasn’t a dangerous foul.
      “The referee walks over to the monitor, we’re all speaking to each other, the Palace and Fulham players…

      “We’re saying it’s a yellow card. I’m saying to the ref it’s a yellow.
      “Then he gets sent off and all you can do is laugh.
      “It’s gone past the point of getting angry about it. There’s a fundamental error in the rules.
      “I think going to the monitor wastes even more time.

      Ref Graham Scott even checked the pitch-side monitor before sending off KamaraCredit: PA:Press Association

      “Everybody knows if the ref goes to the monitor and it’s a penalty or a red card, he’s going to change his mind.
      “Why not let the person at Stockley Park make that decision for you? VAR is meant to be clear and obvious.
      “If it’s clear and obvious, you don’t need the ref to run over to the monitor every two minutes and delay a game when maybe a team has got momentum and you lose that.”
      Townsend claims players do not have a problem with referees, as they are just trying to apply the ever-changing laws as best they can.
      His beef is with VAR and the interpretation of the rules, which he feels have changed so much over the years that ‘we have a game we don’t even recognise’.
      The ex-England star, 29, added: “I’ve never been a fan of VAR.
      “Even if it was 100 per cent perfect and got everything right, I still think it ruins the raw emotion of football.
      “If you score a last-minute goal, you go wild, but if your shoulder’s offside it doesn’t count.
      “Then next time you score, you’re not going to celebrate as intensely, so you lose the raw emotion.
      “The fact it’s making so many mistakes, we need to get rid of it.”

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More