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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt offers VAR verdict and why it should not be introduced in EFL

Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt admits he would not want video assistant referees (VAR) to be introduced in the EFL as human errors are part of the game.

The VAR is now a staple part of the game in both the Premier League and elite European competitions such as the Champions League and the Europa League.

It has been used since the start of the 2019/20 season and has seen every goal scored in the top flight checked to see if there is an infringement - such as a foul or an offside - in the build-up which might see a strike disallowed.

According to the Premier League, it is used for 'clear and obvious errors' or 'serious missed incidents' in four situations.

These include goals, penalty decisions, direct red-card incidents, and mistaken identity.

The introduction of the technology into the game has certainly divided opinion among players, managers, pundits, and supporters.

The technology has not been introduced in the Championship, League One and League Two.

Wanderers head coach Ian Evatt has given his view on the use of VAR and admitted he would not like to see it used in the EFL.

He believes some of the most memorable moments in the history of the game have come about due to human error - and Evatt wants it to stay that way.

He said: "I think this is a game with a huge amount of history and some of the most special moments in football – Geoff Hurst 1966, Diego Maradona’s Hand of God in 1986, have all been through human error.

“It is a game for humans, not computers and technology. So, for me, the errors are part of it. You have to get over it and get on with it.

“We're never going to be perfect and even VAR can’t be perfect, so let's just leave it the way it was.

“Everyone get on and accept the fact referees and linesmen make mistakes – and I know I scream and shout at them every Saturday but come Saturday night they're forgiven. I just want to win and it’s just part of the game.

“It’s a game for humans, let's just leave it at human error, we don’t need the computers.”

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