Gary Lineker predicts 3 VAR changes after Howard Webb's "open-minded" pledge

15 November 2023 , 22:15

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Gary Lineker has had his say on VAR (Image: YouTube/High Performance)

Gary Lineker believes there will be three major VAR changes over the coming years - with artificial intelligence (AI) potentially being used.

VAR has dominated the headlines in recent weeks after a number of controversial decisions. Wolves manager Gary O'Neil and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta are among those to make complaints, with the latter describing the standard of refereeing as "embarrassing".

Howard Webb, who is in charge of the Premier League's refereeing body PGMOL, has promised to keep an open mind to "all technologies that make us more accurate". Some critics, such as Jamie Carragher, have even called for VAR to be scrapped.

Lineker doesn't believe that will happen. He thinks the system will be improved instead, with offsides becoming automated. He also hopes the handball law will be simplified and that fans inside stadiums will be able to hear VAR decisions being made.

Lineker made the suggestions during an interview with GQ. He was asked how technology will change football over the next 20 years. He replied: "I think they’ll simplify the handball law, because at the minute they’re just tying themselves up in knots with it.

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"Like they do in other sports, we’ll hear the conversation between the referee and VAR, but automated offside will be the one – it’s already semi-automated. Beyond that, technology can’t decide whether it’s a free kick or not. But who knows with AI?"

Fans have been left bemused by recent changes to the handball law. Lineker's Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer described the rule as "a complete mess" after two questionable penalties were awarded during a Champions League game in April.

Howard Webb is trying to improve the use of VAR (Premier League)

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Fans have also complained about the lack of communication they receive in stadiums when VAR is in use. In other sports, such as cricket and rugby, spectators can hear and see how decisions are reached (but not at every level of those sports).

Lineker's comments come after Webb faced the music on the latest episode of Match Officials: Mic'd Up - a TV show produced by the Premier League which explains how VAR decisions are made. Webb uses the platform to communicate with fans.

The PGMOL chief was asked about the use of semi-automated offside technology, a system which helps referees make narrow offside decisions a lot quicker. He replied: "I understand the frustration (over the length of time for VAR decisions). Obviously if a situation is really close, it can take a bit of time, using the technologies to come out with the right answer.

"We're open-minded to all technologies that make us more accurate and make us more efficient. We're doing some testing behind-the-scenes, we'll see how that goes. We're keeping a close eye on other competitions, and we'll take a decision in terms of the best way to go forward with that."

Tom Blow