Premier League referee insider confirms fans worst fears about officials and VAR

09 November 2023 , 12:42

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VAR continues to divide opinion (Image: Getty Images)

Ex-referee Mark Halsey believes the current crop of officials are "relying on VAR".

PGMOL, the body in charge of the Premier League's referees, are under pressure to improve VAR after several controversial decisions. Arsenal and Liverpool have both released clubs statements in recent weeks - urging PGMOL to get their house in order.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said the decision to award Anthony Gordon's controversial winner for Newcastle against his team was "disgraceful" and "embarrassing". VAR checked to see if there was a foul, an offside or if the ball went out of play in the build up to the goal. Arteta has since doubled down on his opinion, saying he will "defend my club".

Several other questionable VAR decisions have been made this season, with PGMOL chief Howard Webb offering more than one apology. Halsey, who refereed in the Premier League between 1999 and 2013, believes it's time for the authorities to take action.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is the body that determines the laws of the game. "VAR was brought in for the absolute howlers, but we seem to see VAR come in and get involved for everything," said Halsey on The Overlap's Stick to Football.

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"For example, the Thierry Henry handball in that (2010 World Cup) qualifier against the Republic of Ireland - that's what VAR is there for, but now it seems to come in for everything. IFAB have got to look at the protocol and re-write the protocol on VAR."

More VAR controversy followed on Wednesday, albeit in the Champions League. The VAR official was involved in three key decisions during Manchester United's 4-3 loss against Copenhagen in Denmark, including Marcus Rashford's first-half red card.

Mark Halsey has had his say on the VAR debate (AFP/Getty Images)

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There were also two penalties awarded for handball in the box. Jamie Carragher responded to the second spot kick, awarded in United's favour, by calling for VAR to be scrapped. He wrote on X: The game has gone! Get rid of VAR, that's a disgrace."

Halsey believes referees are now lacking in confidence. He added: "The problem we have at the moment is that referees are relying on VAR. They’ve got to forget that VAR is there and just go out and referee what’s in front of them - give a decision and if it’s drastically wrong VAR should come in. Give the referees the confidence to go out and referee."

Gary Neville, meanwhile, thinks Arsenal and Liverpool were wrong to release club statements on VAR. Liverpool's statement was different to Arsenal's, as PGMOL had admitted a human error was made in disallowing Luis Diaz's goal during their 2-1 loss at Tottenham in September. PGMOL are sticking by their decision to award Gordon's goal.

Neville told Halsey: "One thing I’m absolutely adamant about is that Arsenal, and Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, should not be creating a public pile on by writing letters to the PGMOL, at their outrage at referees - I don’t think that’s helpful at all."

Tom Blow